Re: PET Scan

[Guest guest]

I have had 2 PET scans and so many others from the group have also had

multiple PET scans. It is done very similarily to a MRI. A C.T. scan is used in

conjunction with the PET. You would be injected with a dose of very low

radioactive saline soulution. I was told that it is less radiation than an

X-ray. The

radioactive saline will make the cancer cells show up on the scan. The PET is

the most advanced Diagnostic imaging to detect cancer available that I know off.

After you recieve the injection you will likely have to wait approx. 40

minutes for that to circulate thru your body before beginning the test. I am

5'11 "

and It took about 40 minutes for the actuall peocedure. If you are

claustraphobic you want to tell the staff before your procedure,but if the

M.R.I. didn't

bother you, you have nothing to worry about. Dale

[Guest guest]

Hi Hildreth,

A PET scanner is a donut-shaped scanner rather like a CAT or MRI, but

less claustrophobic and usually less deep. You can see some pictures at

http://www.triumf.ca/welcome/petscan.html

The PET scan works by looking for radiation given off by the body. The

radiation comes from a radioactive tracer which they give you

beforehand. Often this is radioactive glucose (a sugar) - the idea is

that the parts of your body consuming the most energy need sugar, and

hence get the radiolabelled glucose. Tumours consume a lot of energy,

and so the end result is that tumours will " light up " on the scan.

The levels of radiation from the glucose are quite low - much lower than

any radiotherapy you might get. In fact, they try and keep the radiation

levels as low as possible, so PET images are often a bit fuzzy compared

to CAT (which uses X-rays) or MRI (which uses radio waves and

magnetism).

Hope this helps,

Darren

PET Scan

I am getting a little nervous about the PET scan I am having Wed. I have

had the cat scans and MRI's but this is a new one for me. Can someone

tell me what to expect. Do they put you in a tube like the MRI ones? I

am also diabetic and can't take my insulin but if my sugar is to high I

understand they can't do the test. I am very confused. I did survive the

endoscopic ultrasound of the pancreas last week and that was not as bad

as I thought it would be.

Hildreth

[Guest guest]

PET scans are pretty easy in my opinion. I have had three. They

check your blood glucose and inject with a little tiny needle just a

little bit of the tracer.

You do have to lay still for quite a while, but the techs were

experts at making me comfy with a cushion under my knees, as well as

a pillow and a wrap around my arms so they would not get tired. They

told me to bring a sweater so I would not get cold.

Also, the tracer that they give you acts like glucose, so if you are

active it will be taken up by your muscles. They give time after

they inject the tracer for it to accumulate in any tumor tissue, and

told me to rest quietly during that time in a Lazy Boy with the

lights off to provide the best quality study. They said even lots of

exercise the day before can increase the amount that is taken up by

normal muscle- so no weight lifting the day before! They do have you

go to the bathroom right before they scan you because the tracer is

also secreted into the urine. If you have a fairly empty bladder

they can see things in the pelvis better.

Here's hoping for a good report.

Kris

[Guest guest]

I have had three cat scans and a MRI in the last month and a half. I was most

concerned with fasting for 14 hours and no caffeine today. I was glad they

called me and said the 14 hr fast was old directions just nothing after

midnight. I can also take my insulin tonight which makes me feel better but I

really have watched my diet today. She said they could raise my sugar level but

not lower it. If it is to high they won't do the test but she would not tell me

what to high was. Said it was up to the Dr. I have 4 different Doctors so I hope

this test satisfies them all:) I picked up a staph infection in hospital 7

months ago and still fighting infection and been on antibiotic for 5 months now.

I really think the infection is gone but she wanted another scan this month.

Hope the PET will work and she won't want another cat scan. I guess there is

much worse things then having a scan.

Hildreth

Re: PET Scan

PET scans are pretty easy in my opinion. I have had three. They

check your blood glucose and inject with a little tiny needle just a

little bit of the tracer.

You do have to lay still for quite a while, but the techs were

experts at making me comfy with a cushion under my knees, as well as

a pillow and a wrap around my arms so they would not get tired. They

told me to bring a sweater so I would not get cold.

Also, the tracer that they give you acts like glucose, so if you are

active it will be taken up by your muscles. They give time after

they inject the tracer for it to accumulate in any tumor tissue, and

told me to rest quietly during that time in a Lazy Boy with the

lights off to provide the best quality study. They said even lots of

exercise the day before can increase the amount that is taken up by

normal muscle- so no weight lifting the day before! They do have you

go to the bathroom right before they scan you because the tracer is

also secreted into the urine. If you have a fairly empty bladder

they can see things in the pelvis better.

Here's hoping for a good report.

Kris