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HOW PET WORKS
Cancer cells require a great deal of sugar, or glucose, to have enough energy to grow. PET scanning utilizes a radioactive molecule that is similar to glucose, called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). FDG accumulates within malignant cells because of their high rate of glucose metabolism. Once injected with this agent, the patient is imaged on the whole body PET scanner to reveal cancer growths which may have been overlooked or difficult to characterize by conventional CT, X-Ray, or MRI.
COMBINED PET/CT IMAGING: THE ADDED ADVANTAGE
The PET/CT scanner at New Century Imaging combines two state of the art imaging modalities. By monitoring glucose metabolism, PET provides very sensitive information regardless of whether a growth within the body is cancerous or not. CT meanwhile provides detailed information about the location, size, and shape of various lesions but cannot differentiate cancerous lesions from normal structures with the same accuracy as PET. The combined PET/CT scanner merges PET and CT images together. Every PET/CT scan is reviewed and correlated by a board certified Radiologist.
PROCEDURE
Patients referred for PET/CT scanning will be required to spend approximately two hours at New Century Imaging. Patients are first injected with a very small amount of the FDG radiotracer. The patient then waits approximately 45-60 minutes prior to scanning to allow for the FDG to adequately target and bind to possible cancer cells within the body. The actual scan takes approximately 35-45 minutes with the patient lying flat within the scanner.
SCHEDULE
To schedule your PET/CT scan, please call 201-599-1311x305. Please make arrangements to obtain and bring your prior scans to New Century Imaging if done at another facility. This will ensure a comprehensive report in 24-48 hours. |
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