18F-choline positron emission tomography also known as also known as F-18 Choline PET scan is a latest and highly advanced diagnostic tool in nuclear imaging which is used for detection and evaluation of certain cancers...
What is F-18 Choline PET scan?
18F-choline positron emission tomography also known as also known as F-18 Choline PET scan is a latest and highly advanced diagnostic tool in nuclear imaging which is used for detection and evaluation of certain cancers especially prostate cancers.
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in men worldwide. Due to its high mortality, morbidity, distant metastases and recurrence post treatment, it’s essential to detect prostate cancers and its recurrence at an early stage.
Choline is a constituent of phospholipids, an essential component of cell membrane. Rapidly dividing cancer cell requires choline for cell membrane synthesis. Thus, Radio-labelled F-18 choline is used as a radiopharmaceutical agent in PET scanning and its increased uptake is usually demonstrated by cancerous tissues.
F-18 Choline PET scan is usually combined with CT scan to obtain functional, biochemical and anatomical details of cancers in the same session. It provides images with greater clarity and higher resolution for better identification and evaluation of the underlying pathological condition.
Why do I need an F-18 Choline PET scan?
F-18 Choline PET scan is usually indicated for the diagnosis, identification, localization, staging and monitoring of the following conditions:
1) High-risk Prostate cancer.
2) Secondary metastases to distant sites such as lymph nodes, bone, soft tissues or distant viscera.
3) Prostate cancer staging and re-staging.
4) Biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer (BCR) which is defined as rising serum PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level post radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy.
5) Local recurrence.
6) To monitor efficacy of treatment and assess prognosis in prostate cancer patients.
7) To guide therapy or management of patients.
8) To detect Parathyroid adenoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism where conventional imaging techniques such as ultrasound or MIBI SPECT/CT results are inconclusive or negative.
9) Identification and localization of hyperfunctioning, abnormal or pathological parathyroid tissue in the setting of primary hyperparathyroidism when 99mTc-MIBI SPECT results are inconclusive or negative.
10) As a Complementary imaging in monitoring and follow up of patients with High-risk Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).
How do I prepare for F-18 Choline PET scan?
Follow these steps before going for F-18 Choline PET test:
1) Get an appointment - Schedule your appointment in a Diagnostic center having the facility of F-18 Choline PET test because it is available in limited centers.
2) Fasting- 6-7 hours fasting is required before F-18 Choline PET test.
3) Medications- Inform your Clinician about all drugs and supplements that you are currently taking for any disease. He may do certain modifications.
4) Smoking and tobacco- On the day of your scan, don’t smoke or chew tobacco products as nicotine present in these substances alter the test results.
5) Exercise- Don’t perform any strenuous exercise for 24 hours prior to your test.
6) Allergy- Inform your Clinician about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
7) Pregnancy and breastfeeding- Tell your Doctor about pregnancy if you are pregnant or if you breastfed your baby so that your Doctor can evaluate the risk vs benefit ratio, if F-18 choline scan is indicated for parathyroid or thyroid gland evaluation.
8) Clothing- Dress yourself in clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.
9) Medical reports- Don’t forget to carry all relevant medical and lab reports along with you while going for f-18 choline PET test. These reports may aid in better evaluation of your condition.
10) Claustrophobia and anxiety - If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your Clinician about it. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
11) Implants - Inform your doctor about any implant in your body such as cardiac implant, inner ear implants, metallic dentures, neurostimulators or any type of hearing aids etc.
12)Take a company - Get accompanied by friend or family member to have mental, emotional and physical support and to drive you home
What is the procedure for F-18 Choline PET scan?
The procedure of F-18 Choline PET scan includes the following steps:
1) Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
2) You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellry, hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, belts, keys, wallets, coins, cards containing metallic strips, goggles etc.
3) You will be then asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure.
4) An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent, F-18 Choline also known as 18F-fluorocholine is given to you.
5) Your radiologist may perform a dual phase protocol for prostate cancer evaluation in which immediately after a radiotracer injection, a static acquisition of your pelvis is obtained which is followed by a whole body scan after 1 hour of intravenous radiotracer.
6) You will be then asked to sit for about an hour to allow the radiotracer agent to get distributed to your body tissues via bloodstream.
7) If PET-CT is being performed then you may get another intravenous injection of a contrast agent which yield high clarity images on CT scan.
8) You may be provided with head phones or ear plugs to make you feel more comfortable.
10) If you have Claustrophobia or anxiety disorder, then you may be given sedatives or some other alternatives to make you feel comfortable during the scan.
11) Before scan, your assisting Doctor will explain about all the possible adverse effects of using radiopharmaceutical or contrast material such as itching, rash, swelling etc. Your KFT report will be required to rule out any kidney disease and pathology and to check your GFR.
12) Then you will be asked to lie on examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
13) You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced.
14) Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpretated for making a definite diagnosis.
What happens after F-18 Choline PET scan?
* You will be allowed to exit the scanner room once the procedure is over.
* You may be asked to wait in observation room for some time to evaluate any possible side effects of radiotracer or contrast being used.
* Drink water to flush radiotracer or contrast material from your body.
* The whole procedure for Prostate examination scanning takes about 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent. Whereas the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 20-30 minutes. However, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.
* Don’t breastfeed your baby for 24 hours post injection of radiotracer.
* You will get reports on the next day. However, you may get the image films on the same day if requested by your Clinician.
What are the risks/side effects of F-18 Choline PET scan?
F-18 Choline PET scan is safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radiopharmaceutical agent is very low and it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can help to flush the radiotracer faster from your body.
However, some concerns about F-18 Choline PET test are as follows:
1) Allergic reactions to radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
2) Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your Doctor before undergoing F-18 Choline PET scan for Parathyroid or Thyroid gland cancers.
What is the cost of F-18 Choline PET scan?
Price ofF-18 Choline PET scan generally vary with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of services they provide and the offers currently availing in them. PET scan charges also vary with the body part which need to be examined and the type of PET scan.
F-18 Choline PET scan is an advanced diagnostic and monitoring tool that is available at limited diagnostic centers as it requires costly and modern equipments and skilled Radiologists to perform the scan.
To choose the best diagnostic center for F-18 Choline PET scan in Delhi. Click here!
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test for cancers or any other condition.
You can avail F-18 Choline PET Scan at just
For more details, click here!
Which is the best diagnostic center for F-18 Choline PET scan?
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is the now considered the best diagnostic center for F-18 Choline PET scan in Rohini, Delhi.
We have the latest GEMINI TF PET/CT system WITH TruFlight technology, India’s first 3rd Generation Time-of-flight PET/CT (64 SLICES CT) scanner in our centers.
We are also having the facility of different types of PET scan including:
2) FDG-PET Scan
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center is a NABH and NABL accredited top diagnostic center situated in ROHINI and various other locations of Delhi. It is equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.
Currently, we are offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan.
We are open 24X7 and 365 days. You can also get free online or offline Consultation with our Senior Radiologist, Dr. Ravin Sharma regarding any imaging and scanning test.
We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR.
We are also empanelled with various departments and organizations. So, you can get the services at panel rate too.
Hurry! Grab the best deals now!
For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or Call us now!
To avail free online consultation with Radiologist. Click here!
To know more about our services. Click here!
To know details about PET scan. Click here!
