What is PET?

A PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan is a standard imaging tool that physicians use to identify disease within the body and develop an appropriate treatment plan. It provides physiologic information by showing how organs and tissues are functioning. PET images contain detailed information about tissue activity and use a small amount of a radioactive isotope (radiotracer) that is absorbed into body tissues. While all normal cells use glucose for energy, certain diseased cells, such as cancer cells, consume glucose at a much higher rate. The PET scan detects and visualizes these highly metabolic cells, allowing doctors to accurately identify areas of abnormal activity within the body.

Pet Help Diagnose

Cancer

  • Distinguish benign from malignant tumors
  • Stage cancer by showing if it has spread (metastasized) in the body
  • More sensitized detection of recurrent tumors than CT
  • Assess benefits of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy on tumor size and growth
  • Cancers for which PET can be particularly helpful include (but are not limited to):
  • Non Small Cell Lung
  • Single Pulmonary Nodule
  • Esophageal
  • Colorectal
  • Head and Neck
  • Cervical
  • Small Cell Lung
  • Ovarian
  • Prostate

Neurological Disorders

  • Accurately provide early diagnoses for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
  • Locate the focus of seizures for some patients with epilepsy
  • Evaluate extent of stroke and recovery following therapy
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What Should I Prepare?

  • Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours prior to injection time, except for water and medications
  • Well hydrated
  • No candy, mints, cough syrups, lozenges, Gatorade, alcohol or gum 24 hours prior to injection time (nothing that contains sugar or sugar substitutes)
  • No exercise the day of the exam
  • Last meal should be high in protein, low in carbohydrates
  • Bring a driver (if needed for claustrophobic patients)

What Should I Expect?

  • A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is given by an IV injection
  • You will wait approximately one hour, while the medicine is distributed throughout your body
  • You will then be asked to lie on a table that passes through the PET scanner
  • Scan time is approximately 30 minutes
  • Low risk procedure
  • The computer then fuses the images acquired from both devices

How Do I Get The Results?

After your study is over, the images will be evaluated by one of our board-certified Radiologists with expertise in PET/CT Imaging. A final report will be sent to your doctor, who can then discuss the results with you in detail. Should you have any questions regarding your exam, we will be happy to discuss them with you.

PET Service Locations

PET is available at El Camino Imaging Center, X-Ray Associates at Farmington, X-Ray Associates at Santa Fe and X-Ray Associates on Beckner Road.