PET-CT scanner
A highly sophisticated hybrid, low dose full body scanner
HCA Healthcare UK is the first private hospital group in the UK to have the latest fully digital PET-CT scanners. By combining Computised Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) technology in a total body scanner, they can help diagnose disease earlier.
They give doctors a highly accurate picture of what's happening inside the body and can precisely locate cancerous cells. They're usually used to diagnose and monitor cancer and heart disease in a minimally invasive way. Compared to non-digital scanners, they expose you to a smaller dose of radiation.
For the PET part of the procedure, a radioactive tracer is injected into the body and absorbed by the body's cells. Any cancerous cells will show as 'hot spots' on the scan.The CT scan uses X-rays to produce detailed images of inside the body.
FAQ's about PET CT
A PET-CT scan is an imaging diagnostic test that helps identify how the function of tissues and organs working in your body. It combines two types of scan to enhance the understanding of the activity in the body.
This type of scan uses a radioactive tracer (a low dose drug entered into your body before the scan) to show the activity. A PET-CT scan can detect some disease before it shows up on other imaging tests such as a individual CT scan.
A PET CT scan is generally thought to be more accurate in diagnosing cancer than an individual PET or CT scan, as more radioactive material can be identified as collecting in cancer cells than normal cells, and will appear brighter on the scan image. However not all cancers show up on a PET CT scan.
PET CT scans are also used for the following:
- to identify the size of the cancer and whether it has spread (staging cancer)
- to check whether a previously diagnosed cancer has returned
- to plan radiotherapy treatment
A PET CT scan can also be used to monitor how well a type of cancer treatment is working.
Associated scan PET CT
FDG Pet scan
Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a radiotracer used to detect active malignant lesions in a wide range of cancers. It can also be used to monitor the response to cancer therapy treatments.
SPECT-CT scan
It's full name is a single-photon emission computed tomography scan. The scan uses a gamma ray technique to produce 3D images to help analyse the function of internal organs.
Associated scan PET CT
FDG Pet scan
Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a radiotracer used to detect active malignant lesions in a wide range of cancers. It can also be used to monitor the response to cancer therapy treatments.
SPECT-CT scan
It's full name is a single-photon emission computed tomography scan. The scan uses a gamma ray technique to produce 3D images to help analyse the function of internal organs.