Lung Cancer in Your Family? This Cutting-Edge PET CT Scan Offers New Hope
A lung PET scan or Positron Emission Tomography is an imaging test where doctors look for diseases such as lung cancer with the help of radioactive substances called tracer materials. Unlike a computed tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test in which images of the internal structures are obtained, a PET scan for the lungs monitors cellular activity within the lungs.
Why Do Doctors Recommend a Lung PET Scan
Your doctor may ask you to take a lung PET CT scan for the following purposes:
- Detect the occurrence of lung cancer where other imaging tests are not successful in providing a clear picture.
- Determine if lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body and assess the best course of treatment based on this result.
- Assess whether a growth in the lung detected by a CT scan is cancerous or not.
- Evaluate if an ongoing cancer treatment is working.
What Preparations are Required for A Lung PET CT
If you are planning to undergo a PET CT scan for lung cancer, you may be required to follow a specific routine ahead of the scan.
- You must avoid eating food for around four to six hours before the scan. However, you can drink as much water as you want.
- Inform your provider if you are taking any kind of medication, as these can interfere with the scan output.
- Let the diagnostic centre know if you have any known allergies to contrast dyes.
- Inform the concerned people if you are pregnant or have any reason to suspect possible pregnancy.
- Let them know if you are claustrophobic or taking insulin for diabetes as suitable precautions will have to be taken under such circumstances.
How is the Test Performed
In conducting PET scans for lung cancer, a small amount of tracer material is injected through the vein so that it can travel through the bloodstream and collect around the organs and tissues. This allows the doctors to get clearer visuals on certain areas so that they can perform better assessments of the diseases. After the tracer has been injected, you will need to wait for at least an hour for it to be absorbed by the body.
Then the lab technicians will ask you to lie down on a narrow table. This is the PET CT scanner machine that detects the tracer signals and generates 3D pictures with the help of a computer. Doctors read these images off the display monitor.
When the PET CT for lung cancer is being performed, you need to lie still on the table, as too much-unwanted movement can result in blurred images and erroneous outputs. It will take around 90 minutes for the test to be completed. A PET scan performed along with a CT scan provides a more comprehensive understanding of the issues.
Why Quadra is the Best Choice for A Lung PET CT
Quadra Diagnostics is one of the leading diagnostic service providers in the city, and you are guaranteed a timely and accurate scan outcome every time. We use the latest equipment and employ the best radiologists so that you have a comfortable experience on your visits. Our advanced instruments can detect the smallest discrepancies and present a positive PET scan lung cancer result.
If you require an urgent lung PET CT, contact us to book an appointment. You can also get in touch to learn more about our services and benefits.