Cancer
PET can help physicians effectively pinpoint the source of cancer. This is possible because many cancer cells are highly metabolic and therefore synthesize the radioactive glucose (sugar) that is injected in the patient prior to the exam. The areas of high glucose uptake are dramatically displayed in the scan imagery, as opposed to the anatomical imagery of CT or MRI, which cannot detect active, viable tumors.
Using a PET/CT scanner, it is possible to obtain both anatomical and biological data during a single exam. This integrated approach permits accurate tumor detection and localization for a variety of cancers, including:
Approximately 1,372,910 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2005. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 570,280 Americans are expected to die of cancer this year, more than 1,560 people per day.
If cancer is found early, it can often be cured. A PET/CT scan can be used in early diagnosis, assisting physicians in determining the best method for treatment. A whole body PET/CT scan may detect whether cancer is isolated to one specific area or has spread to other organs before a treatment path is determined. |
