This blog explains how this scan works, its benefits over traditional methods, potential drawbacks, and what patients should expect during and after the procedure.
Cancer is a condition which is found all over the world. Their behavior varies based on the kind of cancer. The neuroendocrine tumors or the NETs, are not easy to observe and detect since they can occur anywhere in the body for eg. They are found in, pancreas, intestines, stomach or others. It is also hard to find the tumours early even with imaging, but the gallium-68 DOTA PET Scan is different and can find these tumours effectively.
What Is A DOTA PET Scan?
The DOTA PET CT scan or Gallium-68 DOTATATE scan is utilized for the detection and diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). The DOTA PET CT scan is a very sensitive test and can pick up the smallest lesions even at very early stage, which helps a proper and accurate treatment plan to be initiated for an effective treatment response.a DOTA PET SCAN is a radioactive scan (68Ga) labeled with DOTATATE that imitates somatostatin, a hormone and binds to the tumour receptors to identify NET.
What a DOTA PET scan is able to detect?
It is performed in order to detect neuroendocrine tumours, which influence the nervous system and endocrine glands as well, which is the reason behind the abbreviation NETs. You may be injected with a radioactive tracer, known as Ga-68 DOTState, into your vein. Other types of cancers utilize glucose, but NETs contain receptors for the hormone somatostatin. The majority of the tumours are not visible on standard imaging methods like FDG-PET CT scans. Other earlier used cancer scanning methods which were utilized to identify and diagnose NETs were taking 4-6 hours and even 3-4 days. DOTA PET CT Scan provides better accuracy and precision of detection of NETs. It also provides patient comfort because of the shorter amount of time taken to perform the scan.
What are the benefits of a DOTA PET CT Scan?
DOTA PET CT Scan provides a number of benefits to the doctor and the patient that makes it a highly efficient option of imaging modality in diagnosing NETs. Some of the benefits are as under-
Scanning time- The DOTA PET CT Scan would take only 15-20 minutes, which is much less than the earlier three-day octoreo scan,which would take at least 3-4 days. This facilitates early detection of tumours without the inconvenience of going back and forth in succession.
Image quality- The DOTA PET CT Scan is a sensitive test which can produce high resolution images that are able to identify even centimetres sized lesions. This is why it is able to aid in detection as well as plan proper treatment.
Helps in treatment planning- since it provides a high quality image, it also helps in treatment plan. The treatment plan that is developed is an efficient diagnostic plan, providing an accurate outcome.
Other PET Scans you might searching for is done at Ganesh Diagnostic-
- FDG-PET Scan (Book Now)
- F-18 Choline PET Scan (Book Now)
- Whole Body PET Scan (Book Now)
- Brain PET Scan (Book Now)
- PSMA PET Scan For Prostate (Book Now)
- Dopa Brain PET Scan (Book Now)
- Cardiac Viability PET Scan
- Cardiac PET Scan (Book Now)
- DOTA PET SCAN (Book Now)
What Are Drawbacks of DOTA PET CT Scan?
Even though everything in the universe has its own advantages and disadvantages. DOTA PET CT Scan also has its few risks that a patient should know. They include-
The weakly characterized NET tumours are less sensitive to get detected through a DOTA PET CT Scan, this may make them difficult to detect early.
A DOTA PET CT Scan result might be false negative if the patient is already receiving somatostatin analogues. This is why you have to discontinue the medicine 3-4 weeks prior to the DOTA PET CT Scan.
Things to remember after a DOTA PET CT Scan
- If you were administered some medication prior to the scan, you will have to remain in the recovery room for a while.
- You will be instructed to drink lots of water so as to assist in flushing out the radioactive tracer that was administered to you.
- You will most probably be radioactive for a short while after the scan, and so you are advised to avoid contact with pregnant women and children for 24 hours to avoid exposure.
- Mothers who are breastfeeding should avoid giving their babies milk for at least 24 hours following the scan.
- No restrictions on your diet. You may go back to all your normal activities.
Conclusion
DOTA PET-CT Scan is a wonderful innovation in diagnostic equipment, which can diagnose NET (neuroendocrine tumours). DOTA PET CT Scan in Delhi costs different amounts from one centre to another centre. You should meet doctors and search for the best diagnostic centre near you to get an accurate diagnosis.
FAQS
Q. What is the full form of DOTA PET scan?
The full form of DOTA PET is Dodecanetetraacetic Acid Positron Emission Tomography.
Q. What is the cost of DOTA PET Scan in Delhi?
The cost of DOTA PET scan in Rohini, Delhi varies on centre and factor affecting costs, click here to know the price of DOTA PET scan.
