2. Common Uses
Generally used with X-rays or MRI.
Used to make diagnosis or to get more
data,
PET scans are also especially useful for
cancer treatment and prevention
3. Cancer
PET scans are especially effective in cancer treatment.
They can show
cancer
stage of cancer
whether cancer has spread
effectiveness of ongoing chemotherapy
a PET scan after several weeks after starting radiation
treatment for lung cancer can indicate whether tumor will
respond to treatment.
4. Method
1. Inject radioactive
substance into participant
2. Produces gamma rays as it
is metabolized by the brain
3. Gamma rays produced
detected by machine
4. Signal turned into
computer image that
displays colorful map of
activity in different parts of
the brain
5. Limitations
low spatial resolution compared to other types of
scanning methods
small abnormalities cannot be detected easily
if patient moves during process, it will cause blurs which
could cause misinterpretations
limit on amount of radionuclide makes difficult to clearly
see tissues
can miss certain abnormalities and misinterpret data
6. Limitations
Tracer takes 30-60 minute to reach area in body than
scanning process takes between 45 - 60 minutes, during
which patient must try to remain still
can cause discomfort especially to those who have difficulty
remaining still for long period of time
PET equipment is expensive and susceptible to breaking
down
Therefore procedure is also expensive
in 2010, a PET scan can cost from 5,720 to 8,900 RMB
7. Limitations
Radionuclide tracer can be dangerous to or should be
avoided by
patients who are sensitive to radiation
patients who are pregnant, may become pregnant or are
breast feeding
Radioactivity stays in body for a length of time
patients must stay away from anyone who is pregnant, the
elderly and those with decreased immunity
Radioactive exposure means patient can only undergo
PET scans a limited number of times
8. Strengths
PET scan shows how a part of the patients body is
functioning, rather than just how it looks.
Can show how effective a particular treatment is
Early detection. Earliest symptoms often show through
cellular respiration and PET scans can show that.
MRI scans for example can only show structure change
9. Strengths
Able to show characteristics (such as whether cancer has
spread within body) that otherwise would need surgery
to show
Limits patient discomfort and risk of infection
Can scan large area of body
typical body scan will go from shoulders to thigh
Can show whether tumor is benign (non-cancerous) or
malignant (cancerous), eliminating unneeded surgeries.
