How accurate is PET scan for cancer?

January 15, 2025

A PET scan is an imaging technique that helps detect cancerous cells and their extent in the body. The doctor will suggest you to undergo PET CT scan in Mohali if he or she feels your signs and symptoms indicate the presence of cancer. Positron emission tomography reveals cancerous areas in the patient's body as these cells absorb the radiotracer. While this nuclear imaging scan involves injecting the sugary tracer in the patient's body, it becomes easy to detect cancer because cancer cells absorb more sugar in comparison to normal body cells. 

 

Understanding PET/ CT scan 

The combination of a PET scan and CT scan is often used by oncologists and radiologists to detect cancer. The CT scan captures the images from varying angles and in thin slices to reveal the state of the internal body tissues and other structures. The scanner can figure out the diseased cells that absorb large quantities of radiotracer to reveal a serious underlying problem. PET scan in Mohali can help in diagnosing cancer and evaluate the effectiveness of cancer treatment. 

 

When do I need a PET scan?

A PET scan assesses the vital functions of the body to identify the organs that are not in optimal functioning. Your doctor might suggest you undergo this scan if he or she feels you might have cancer. However, if your doctor has already confirmed your cancer diagnosis, he or she will suggest you undergo the scan at various stages of the treatment. 

The PET scan will help determine the metastasis of cancer cells within the body, recurrence of cancer after recovery, how effective the treatment is, and the prognosis of cancer treatment. 

 

Working of PET scan

A PET scan in Chandigarh is a nuclear medicine imaging that involves the use of radioactive material which is administered intravenously. The scan can help find out the presence of cancer even in the initial stages as it evaluates the body’s molecular activity. 

When cancerous cells are present in your body, more radiotracers will be absorbed by these cells which then serve as hot spots. The PET scan can produce images of the body structures affected by cancer cells by detecting the radiation. The PET scan images combine with the X-ray images of the CT scan to come up with the final images that help in diagnosing cancer. 

 

What to expect?

The doctor will administer the radiotracer like fluoro-deoxyglucose intravenously which contains the radioactive substance. The body organs will absorb the radiotracer as it travels with the blood throughout your body. If you are undergoing PET CT in Chandigarh, the doctor will also inject a contrast dye in your body intravenously which will produce the images of the CT scan. 

You will be lying on a table that will slide inside the PET CT scanner and it will take around half an hour for the scan to complete during which you must not make any movements. The scanner will click images of the body structures with a buzzing sound. Once the scan is done, the table will slide out of the scanner and the technologist will check if the images of the scan are sharp before you move out of the room. 

 

Duration of PET scan 

It will take around 2 hours for the entire scan to get completed from dye administration until you are shifted out from the procedure room. This is because the body takes nearly 1 hour to absorb the administered radiotracer. While the radiotracer passes through your bloodstream, you must stay still. You will be on the table that slides within the scanner for around 30 minutes when the actual scanning is going on. The PET scan charges may vary depending upon the hospital you choose and if there are additional scans or tests required. 

 

Risks with PET scan 

Although PET scans are very safe, some problems may occur in some situations but this is rare to happen. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers must avoid undergoing a PET scan as the radiation may cause much harm. 

The contrast dye in CT scan or radiotracers in PET scan may cause an allergy, although it may be mild. Sometimes, diabetic patients may not absorb the radiotracer sugar which may affect the results of the PET CT scan in Mohali

 

Accuracy of PET scan 

The PET scan can accurately diagnose the presence of cancer and is the most commonly used imaging method for cancer diagnosis. The scan delivers more than 90% accuracy in diagnosing cancer and can easily detect metastatic tumors in the body. 

Sohana Hospital has state-of-the-art equipment and advanced facilities that aid in accurate cancer diagnosis and precise treatment. Our team of radiologists, oncologists, anesthetists, surgeons, & other healthcare staff work together to come up with a treatment plan that will help you in recovering quickly from cancer.