Understanding PET/CT Imaging: A Powerful Tool in Disease Detection and Treatment
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At The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, cutting-edge imaging technology plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating cancer. One of the most advanced techniques available today is PET/CT imaging, which combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) to provide detailed insights into the body’s internal structures and functional activity.
What is PET/CT?
PET/CT imaging merges two powerful diagnostic tools. The PET scan detects functional changes in tissues using a small amount of a radioactive tracer, while the CT scan provides a detailed anatomical view. Together, these scans create highly accurate images that help physicians locate and assess cancer with greater precision than either test alone.
How is PET/CT used?
PET/CT is widely used to detect cancer, determine its stage, monitor treatment effectiveness, and check for recurrence. Different types of radioactive tracers, known as biomarkers, are used to highlight specific cancers.
By offering PET/CT imaging with advanced biomarkers, the Leever Cancer Center enhances cancer detection and treatment planning. These scans allow physicians to tailor therapies more effectively, ensuring patients receive the most appropriate care for their specific diagnosis.
While PET/CT is a crucial tool in oncology, it also plays an essential role in diagnosing and managing non-cancerous conditions. For example, it is commonly used to assess neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease by detecting abnormal glucose metabolism in the brain. PET/ CT can also help evaluate heart disease by identifying areas of reduced blood flow, guiding treatment decisions for patients with coronary artery disease. The continued advancements in PET/ CT imaging at the Leever Cancer Center ensure that patients receive the most accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans available.
The Leever Cancer Center offers several advanced PET imaging options, including:
F18 FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose): This is the most commonly used radiotracer in PET/CT scanning. It evaluates malignancy by tracking glucose metabolism, which is often higher in cancer cells, making it an effective tool for detecting rapidly growing cancers such as lung, brain, and colorectal cancers, as well as lymphoma and melanoma.
F18 Fluoroestradiol (Cerianna): Used for imaging estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer, Cerianna helps determine the extent of disease spread in patients with confirmed ER+ cancer. It aids in detecting ER+ lesions as a supplement to biopsy in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
F18 Flutemetamol (Vizamyl): This imaging agent is used to evaluate the brain for beta-amyloid neuritic plaques, which are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It helps estimate the plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment, assisting in the diagnosis and assessment of Alzheimer’s.
F18 Pylarify (PSMA): This scan images prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in prostate cancer lesions. F18 PSMA binds to prostate tumor cells, highlighting areas of metastatic cancer. PSMA PET is especially useful for patients with rising PSA levels. Unlike CT or MRI, it can detect cancer in hard-to-find areas.
Ga 68 Dotatate (NetSpot): This isotope attaches to specific receptors on neuroendocrine tumors, helping doctors accurately find these rare types of cancer. It is used to locate tumors that have somatostatin receptors.
For more information or if you have questions about PET/CT imaging or whether it may be beneficial for your treatment, speak with your physician or contact the PET/CT department at the Leever Cancer Center: (203) 555-5501. Note: Patients generally receive an appointment within one week of referral.