Different Types of PET CT Scan

In this blog, we are going to discuss the different types of PET-CT scans. What are the working procedures and benefits of PET-CT scans?

There are different types of PET-CT scans available for diagnosis purposes. Difference PET-CT scans include F18 FDG, F18 PSMA, Cerianna (18F-FES) and NetSpot (Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate). These are based on the isotope used as the radioactive tracer for the disease diagnosis.

What is a PET-CT Scan?

PET-CT scan is a combination of PET and CT scans, which involves positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis purposes. PET is the imaging test that produces images of tissues or organs at work, which uses the safe administration of radioactive tracers and a PET scanner for the diagnosis of the disease. While as computed tomography (CT) uses X-rays to produce images of the tissues and organs for diagnosis of the disease. In most cases, healthcare provides suggestions for the PET-CT scan, which is a combination of both scans PET and CT. This combination of scans produces the 3D images and allows for more accurate and exact diagnosis. More precise diagnosis helps in the early and easy diagnosis of treatment for the disease.

What is the Procedure for a PET-CT scan?

PET-CT scan involves the administration of a radioactive element called a tracer for the detection of the disease. The patient will be administered with radioactive tracer as injection through intravenous (IV). The patient is allowed to rest for about 1 hour till the tracer reaches to whole body before the scan. Healthcare provider uses different types of the tracers like acetate (C-11), choline (C-11), fludeoxyglucose (F-18), sodium fluoride (F-18), fluoro-ethyl-spiperone (F-18), methionine (C-11), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) (Ga-68), DOTATOC, DOTANOC, DOTATATE (Ga-68) etc. on the basis the type of disease to be diagnosis. The patient will be advised to fast for at least 8-10 hours before going for the scan. The patient is advised to consult the healthcare expert before going for a scan.

What Are the Different Types of PET-CT Scans?

There are different types of PET-CT scans depending on the radioactive tracer used:

F18 FDG: FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is the radioactive tracer molecule used in PET-CT to identify the cells that are growing rapidly. Cancer cells are 3 times more rapidly than normal, this gives a clear image of the cell abnormality. It is used to detect brain, lung, colorectal, lymphoma and melanoma cancers. After the injection of the radioactive tracer, the patient will be asked to rest for 1 hour till the tracer reaches the whole body. Scanning will take 15 to 25 minutes to complete.
F18 PSMA: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) attaches to prostate tumour cells. The scan is used in patients with known prostate cancer and high PSA levels. The scan detects the cancer, that may be missed by other imaging scans. The scan does not require any fasting, the patient is allowed to rest for at least 1 hour and the scan takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
Cerianna (18F-FES): Cerianna (fluoroestradiol F18) can detect estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer by attaching itself to ER+ cancer cells. The patient should be informed about any medications that he is taking or hormones. The patient is made to rest for 80 minutes before going for a scan.
NetSpot (Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate): This tracer binds to somatostatin found in neuroendocrine tumours. These tumours are rare and occur anywhere in the body and commonly in the lungs, stomach, intestines and pancreas. The patient will be observed for any medication before going for the scan.

What is a PET CT Scan Used For?

PET-CT scan is the advanced diagnostic tool used to detect any type of cancer at any stage. This scan provides accurate diagnosis at the cellular level, which helps in easy and early treatment. It is also used to detect heart diseases and brain disorders.

Other diagnostic tools for cancer diagnosis:

PET scan (Book Now)
CT scan (Book Now)
MRI scan (Book Now)
X-Ray (Book Now)
Biopsy (Book Now)
X-ray Barium swallow also called esophagram (Book Now)
Genetic tests (Book Now)
Blood tests (Book Now)
Immunohistochemistry (Book Now)
Urine tests (Book Now)

What is the Cost of a PET-CT Scan?

The cost of a PET-CT scan depends on the area and the quality of the healthcare facility provider. You can choose Ganesh Diagnostic for cancer screening tests as they provide the best facility, quality, and government accreditations and have expertise in healthcare for decades with affordable prices and discounts available.

Why Choose Ganesh Diagnostic?

Ganesh Diagnostic has had expertise in quality healthcare tests and scans for decades, having best-in-class doctors and facilitation. Ganesh Diagnostic is one of the most reputed and prestigious Diagnostic centres that provides a 24x7x365-day facility. The test results are 100 % accurate which helps the patients get the best and the right treatment for easy recovery. The quality is backed by the NABH and NABL accreditations, NABH is for the highest standard of care and services provided to patients and NABL reflects the competency of laboratories and equipment at national and international standards. We also provide free blood sample collection at home for different tests, Get tested and treated well with the best diagnostic centre. Grab the opportunity and book an appointment.

Conclusion

PET-CT scan is one of the most advanced diagnostic tools for the detection of different types of cancer, heart diseases and brain disorders. The procedure uses different types of radioactive tracers for diagnosis purposes. Difference PET-CT scans include F18 FDG, F18 PSMA, Cerianna (18F-FES) and NetSpot (Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate).

FAQs

What are the different types of PET-CT scans?

The different types of PET-CT scans include F18 FDG, F18 PSMA, Cerianna (18F-FES) and NetSpot (Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate). These are based on the isotope used as the radioactive tracer for the disease diagnosis.

What is a PET-CT scan used for?

PET-CT scan is used for cancer diagnosis, heart diseases and brain disorders.

How much PET-CT scan cost?

The cost of the scan depends on the area and the healthcare facility provider. You can choose the Ganesh diagnostic. This centre has decades of expertise and available discounts on screening tests with ambulances available for the patients. (Click to know discounts)

What are the risks associated with PET-CT scans?

There are no such risks associated with PET-CT scans when conducted in the presence of a healthcare expert and at a good healthcare facility with proper guidelines and protocols.