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Cost of PET CT SCAN in India

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What is PET Scan?Why is the PET scan done?Who should get the PET scan done? What precautions should I take?What does the PET scan measure?PET Scan Preparation PET scan Procedure What to expect after the PET scan is done?When will I get the PET scan report?How will I get the PET report?How to interpret the PET scan report?Is there any risk involved?What equipment or instruments are used for PET scan?How long does the PET scan take?Frequently asked questions on PET scan

What is PET Scan?

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a noninvasive imaging technique used to get body organs and tissues images. The technique involves the use of a detectable and injectable dye having radioactive tracers. The radioactive tracer detects the abnormality in the body organ or tissues. The abnormal body organ absorbs a significant amount of the radioactive tracer,indicating a health issue.

Doctors see the abnormality with the help of a PET scanner. The diseased part will reflect as a bright spot on the scanner.

A positron emission tomography scan is an outpatient test, i.e., you can go home as soon as the procedure is done.

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Why is the PET scan done?

PET Scan is performed because of various reasons, such as;

To detect the early symptoms and signs of cancer, brain and heart disorders.
To measure blood flow, oxygen level, and glucose( blood sugar) levels in the body.
To detect Abnormal body organs and tissues.
To analyse and evaluate the ongoing cancer treatment and adjust it as per the requirements.
To analyse metastasis or cancer spread.

Who should get the PET scan done?

People with following health conditions requires a PET scan:

Cancer: for the early detection and to check the spread of various cancers like lung cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer.
Heart disorders: PET scan is done to detect the areas of the heart getting decreased blood flow. Therefore, it confirms the possibility of Coronary artery diseases like heart attack and other heart problems. If clogging is found, the doctor may suggest angioplasty or bypass surgery based on PET reports.
Brain disorders: radioactive tracers bind with glucose (the compound that drives brain functions)to detect brain disorders like dementia, brain tumors, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and depression.

Disclaimer: It is advised to always consult your doctor to interpret the test reports.

What precautions should I take?

Please follow the instructions suggested by your doctor
Inform if one is on any medications or if any ongoing treatment is going on
Show your old reports, if any
Inform if one is pregnant / breast-feeding / menstruating.

What does the PET scan measure?

PET scan traces the diseased organs and tissues via radioactive tracers injected into the body. A dye containing the radioactive tracers in a safe amount is intravenously introduced into the patient’s body.

The diseased or abnormal cells in the body absorb a high amount of radioactive tracers. This leads to their detection on the PET scanner.

PET Scan Preparation

Before going for any medical test/procedures, specific guidelines need to be followed as suggested by the doctor.

Inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking and your previous history of health issues.
Your doctor may ask you to avoid rigorous physical training and deep tissue massage for at least a couple of days before the test.
24 hours before the test, you will be asked to go on a no sugar and low carbohydrate diet. Dairy products, cereals, bread, fruits, etc., need to be avoided.
Avoid alcohol, smoking, and caffeine 24 hours before the test.
Start fasting 6 hours before the test, irrespective of whether you are receiving anaesthesia or not.
Avoid chewing gum or sucking on hard candy, cough drops, or mints.
A kidney function or creatinine test may be ordered before the procedure , if diabetic you will be asked to check your sugars before the test .

PET scan Procedure

The PET scan procedure involves the following steps:

Intravenous injection of radioactive tracers containing drugs in a safe amount. The most common tracer is fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
Before starting the scanning, the patient is given an hour to sit to let the tracer move in the bloodstream and get absorbed by the organs and tissues
If a combination of PET and CT scan is done, a contrast dye is also intravenously injected to produce sharp images
The patient is then laid down on a sliding examination table. The scanner, shaped like a tunnel, is attached to the table
The patient is supposed to remain still to avoid changes of blurry images
The scanner starts taking images which the doctor will further analyse
In case the patient feels anxious during the enclosed setup, a sedative is given to carry out the procedure

What to expect after the PET scan is done?

PET is an outpatient test, i.e., and you can go home the same day after the test, no need to get admitted to the hospital unless your doctor says so. However, it can take a few hours to days for radioactive material to vanish off. It’s advisable not to contact infants and pregnant women during this time.

Drink a lot of water and non-alcoholic fluids to flush out the tracers from the body.

When will I get the PET scan report?

A highly trained and specialised radiologist will first interpret your reports and send the information to your doctor. The results are usually ready within a few days. Still, depending upon the condition and complexity of the report, it may take a little extra time for the doctor to diagnose it. Once the reports are ready, your doctor will call you for the follow up.

Disclaimer: The time may vary based on your condition and the availability of the radiologist.

How will I get the PET report?

The PET reports are not like your usual blood test reports that can be interpreted or understood by the patient or the common man. It’s a scanning report that comes out as images in the first place. A highly skilled radiologist can only understand those scanned images of body organs or tissue. Based on the radiologist’s interpretation, a second report is made, sent to your concerned doctor along with the scanned reports. Your concerned doctor will hand over your reports after analysing it further.

How to interpret the PET scan report?

The radiologist only interprets the PET scan reports. The interpretation is done based on the scanned images generated. The radiologist based on their understanding will write the conclusion or the possible abnormalities if present. The concluded reports will be sent to your doctor. He will further analyse it and start the treatment.

Is there any risk involved?

Like any other medical test and procedure, a PET scan also involves some risk, but it is usually considered a safe procedure.

Following are the risks involved :

Allergic reaction in response to radioactive tracers.
Bleeding, swelling, and bruising can happen due to needles.
Pregnant women should not get PET scans, as radiation can be harmful to the foetus and the mother.
People with kidney diseases avoid getting PET/CT scan as it involves an injection of extra tracers.
Claustrophobic patients may get discomforted.

What equipment or instruments are used for PET scan?

Following are the pieces of equipment used in the PET scan:

Intravenous injections containing radioactive tracer drugs.
A PET scanner consists of a sliding in and out bed and a tunnel-shaped imaging monitor.

How long does the PET scan take?

The whole PET scan procedure takes 2 hours. Out of which, one hour is required for the absorption of the tracers. The scanning part takes approximately 45 minutes. After the scanning, you will have to wait while the radiologist checks if the images are clear or not. If it’s blurred, you may have to undergo the scanning part again.

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Frequently asked questions on PET scan

What is a PET/CT scan?

PET/CT scan is a combination of PET and CT scan. It combines the x-rays from the CT scan with the PET to produce 3D images for accurate and error-free interpretation.

What food can be consumed before the PET scan?

6 hours of fasting is mandatory before the test. Before that, patients should go on a no sugar and low carb diet. Tofu, meat, nuts, and non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, green salad, etc.

Are patients allowed to drink water just before the procedure?

Yes, only if a patient is recommended to take any medication.

Can metal interfere during PET scan?

Yes, you may be asked to remove metal jewellery and change in a hospital gown as metal can interfere with the testing equipment. Metal implants will not cause any problem while having just a PET scan but, you cannot undergo a PET/MRI scan with metal implants in the body.

What is a radioactive tracer?

The tracer is a glucose compound with a radioactive attached component. This way, it’s effortless to remove tracers from the body, even in kidney disorders or diabetic patients.

Who approves the use of radioactive tracers in medical procedures?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the tracers based on safety and performance. These tracers are considered radiopharmaceuticals

What kind of tracers are used for people who cannot be administered iodine tracers?

Those who can’t have an iodine tracer typically receive a tracer made of diluted barium sweetened with saccharin.

What problems can arise with diabetic patients?

Diabetic patients may not be able to absorb radioactive tracers as they are glucose-based, affecting the scanning images. In such cases, doctors advise patients to modify their diet and medications before the test.

What is the difference between a PET scan and an MRI/CT scan?

PET scan is used to detect abnormalities in the metabolic activities at a cellular level in an organ or tissue. In contrast, MRI and CT scans cannot be used at a cellular level.

It’s easy to diagnose diseases at an early stage through PET. MRI and CT scans can detect changes that occur at later stages of the disease.

What is a Gallium scan?

Gallium scan is a similar procedure to PET scan. It involves an injection of a radioactive tracer called gallium citrate. It is a lengthy procedure, unlike the PET scan. Gallium scan takes up to 3 days after the tracer is administered.

Disclaimer: The content is uniquely informative and is meant for educational use. Kindly use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified or registered healthcare provider.