Role of PET scan in Thyroid Cancer: Uses, Preparation, Procedure & Cost

Thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped, small endocrine gland situated at the front of neck above your larynx/voice box. It secretes hormones such as T3 and T4 when stimulated by TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which is...

What Is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped, small endocrine gland situated at the front of neck above your larynx/voice box. It secretes hormones such as T3 and T4 when stimulated by TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which is secreted by the anterior lobe of pituitary gland. 

Thyroid hormones play many important functions in our body and a vital role in regulating BMR (basal metabolic rate).

Cancerous growth that arises from the tissues of thyroid gland is known as thyroid cancer or thyroid malignancy. It is the most common endocrine cancer. There are several risk factors for the development of thyroid carcinoma. Incidence varies with geographical location.

What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is often asymptomatic in early stages. However, depending upon the type of thyroid carcinoma, exact location, stage of tumor or its metastasis to distant sites, various symptoms or sign may be seen that includes:

• Nodule/lump in thyroid region
• Voice changes due to involvement of nerves
• Pain in thyroid region
• Lymph node enlargement
• Symptoms of hypothyroidism
• Symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

What Are the Uses of Pet Scan in Thyroid Cancer?

Malignant cells demonstrate altered growth and metabolism. PET scan is used for the assessment and evaluation of metabolic and biochemical properties of tissues or organ. PET scan is not a primary diagnostic technique for thyroid malignancy. It is indicated for the following purpose in thyroid cancer:

1. Detection of metastases: Secondary malignant growths at distant site from primary tumours is known as metastases. PET scan plays a crucial role in the identification and localization of metastases.
2. To monitor effectiveness of treatment.
3. To evaluate the prognosis in thyroid cancer patients.
4. To check for cancer recurrence after treatment.
5. Diagnosis: In medullary carcinoma of thyroid, radio-iodine scans are not much effective as this sub-type of thyroid cancer has low affinity for iodine. In this case PET scan can be used for diagnosis.
6. To identify the actual site of disease.

How to Prepare for Pet Scan in Thyroid Cancer?

Follow these steps if you are going for a PET scan:

1. Get an appointment: Schedule your appointment in a diagnostic center having the facility of PET scan as it is available in limited centers. Prior appointment also saves your time by avoiding waiting at the time of scan.
2. Fasting: 6-7 hours fasting is required before PET test.
3. Caffeine: For 24-hours before the scan, avoid caffeinated products.
4. Medications: Certain drugs may alter test results especially intake of synthetic thyroid hormone pills. Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements that you are currently taking.
5. Clothing: Wear clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.  
6. Exercise: Don’t perform any strenuous exercise for 24-hours prior to your test. 
7. Smoking and tobacco: On the day of your scan, don’t smoke or chew tobacco products as nicotine present in these substances causes vasoconstriction and may alter the test results. 
8. 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.
9. Allergy: Inform your Clinician about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
10. Medical reports: Don’t forget to carry all relevant medical reports along with you while going for PET scan. These reports may aid in better evaluation of your condition. 
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. Claustrophobia and anxiety: If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
13. Take a company:  Get accompanied by a friend or family member to have mental, emotional and physical support and to drive you home.

What Is the Procedure for Pet Scan in Thyroid Cancer?

The procedure of PET scan includes the following steps:

1. Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
2. You will be asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure.
3. You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellery, hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, wallets, keys, coins, cards containing metallic strips, belts, goggles etc.
4. An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent usually FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is given to you.
5. You will be then asked to sit quietly for about an hour to allow the radiotracer agent to get distributed to your body tissues and organs via bloodstream. The radioactive agent gets accumulated in areas of high metabolic activity such as cancerous tissues.
6. If PET-CT is being scheduled then you may get another intravenous injection of a contrast agent which yield high clarity images on CT scan.
7. You may be provided with head phones or ear plugs to make you feel more comfortable.
8. 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
9. 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/pathology and to check your GFR.
10. Then you will be asked to lie supine on the examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
11. You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced. 
12. Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpreted for making a definite diagnosis.

What Happens After Pet Scan?

Once the imaging is over you may be allowed to exit the scanner room and asked to wait in the observation room for some time, to check for any possible side effect of radioactive or contrast agent being used. You should drink water to clear out the radiotracer or contrast agent from your body.

Cost of Pet Scan for Thyroid Cancer in Delhi?

Price of PET scan generally varies with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of machines 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.

PET scan test 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 PET scan in Delhi.

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test.

Various PET scan prices at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC)are as following:

• Whole Body PET Scan
  Rs 23900 - Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
   
• FDG-PET Scan
  Rs 23900 -Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
   
• F-18 Choline PET Scan
  Rs 37000 -Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
   
• Brain PET Scan
  Rs 23900 - Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
   
• Dopa Brain PET Scan
  Rs 37000 - Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
   
• PET Viability Scan Cardiac
  Rs 27000 -Rs 13500 BOOK NOW
   
• PSMA PET Scan For Prostate
  Rs 35000 - Rs 17500 BOOK NOW
   
• Cardiac PET Scan
  Rs 27000 -Rs 13500 BOOK NOW
   
• DOTA PET SCAN
  Rs 37000 -Rs 18500 BOOK NOW

For more details, click here!

To avail free consultation with Pathologist. Click here!

To avail free consultation with Radiologist. Click here!

Best diagnostic center for PET scan?

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Rohini, Delhi. We have many branches in different locations of Delhi including Hari Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Nangloi, Derawal Nagar and Mangol puri.

We are having the facility of different types of PET scan including: 

FDG-PET Scan

F-18 Choline PET Scan

Whole Body PET Scan

Brain PET Scan

PSMA PET Scan For Prostate

Dopa Brain PET Scan 

PET Viability Scan Cardiac

Cardiac PET Scan

DOTA 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. 

For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now!

Hurry! Grab the best deals now

FAQs Related to Thyroid malignancy & PET scan:

What Are the Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer?

There are several risk factors for the development of thyroid cancer including:

• Family history of thyroid cancers
• Radiation exposure
• Exposure to radioactive iodine 
• Obesity
• Enlarged thyroid gland
• Female sex 
• Low iodine intake 
• Iodine deficiency.
• Diseases such as:
  1. Thyroiditis
  2. Thyroid nodule
  3. Grave disease
  4. Auto-immune diseases.
• Genetic causes:
  1. MEN 2 (Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2) syndrome.
  2. Cowden syndrome.
  3. Hereditary MTC (Medullary thyroid cancer)
  4. FAP (Familial adenomatous polyposis).
  5. Carney complex type 1.

Types of Thyroid Cancer?

Histologically, there are several types of thyroid cancer such as:

• Papillary cancer: Most common (75-85%)
• Follicular cancer
• Medullary carcinoma of thyroid
• Hurthle cell cancer
• Anaplastic cancer 
• Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer
• Thyroid lymphoma
• Sarcoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma of thyroid.

How Is Screening Done for Thyroid Cancer?

Screening tests are used to screen or look for thyroid neoplasm before the appearance of signs and symptoms. Screening is done through neck examination and thyroid ultrasound in people belonging to the high-risk group especially those having genetic predisposition. It helps in early screening and determine the need of further testing if reports are abnormal. However, in normal people without any symptoms, screening for thyroid neoplasm is not recommended.

Whereas, diagnostic tests are performed when you have sign or symptoms of thyroid cancer or if the screening tests are found to be suspicious or abnormal.

How Is Thyroid Cancer Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of thyroid malignancy is done using combination of multiple tests that includes:

1. Physical examination of thyroid gland.
2. Blood examination: 
   • CBC (Complete blood count)
   • TSH profile (TSH, T3, T4)
   • Calcitonin level
   • Anti-thyroid antibodies.
3. Imaging tests:
   • Ultrasound
   • Thyroid scan using radioactive iodine.
4. Histopathological examination:
   • Biopsy using fine needle aspiration cytology.

What Is the Prognosis of Thyroid Cancer?

Prognosis of thyroid cancer is usually good and depends upon many variables such as:

• Type of thyroid malignancy
• Stage of tumor
• Response to treatment
• Patient age
• Presence of Co-morbid conditions
• Metastasis.

What Is the Survival Rate of Thyroid Cancer?

The 5-year survival rate of thyroid cancer depending upon the sub-type, patients’ age, stage of cancer, grade of cancer, extent of invasion or metastasis are as following:

• 5-year survival rate in case of localized thyroid cancer is 100% in case of papillary, follicular and medullary thyroid cancers where as it is 39% in case of anaplastic cancer of thyroid.
• 5-year survival rate in case of local metastasis to regional lymph nodes or adjacent areas is as following:
• 99 % for papillary cancer
• 98% for follicular cancer
• 92% for medullary cancer
• 11% for anaplastic cancer.
•  In case of distant metastasis, the 5-year survival rate is as following:
• 74% for papillary cancer
• 67% for follicular cancer
• 43% for medullary cancer.
• 4% for anaplastic cancer.

How to Prevent Thyroid Cancer?

Protective factors that may lower the risk of thyroid cancers includes:

• Maintain normal BMI
• Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
• Optimum intake of iodine in diet
• Avoid smoking.

How Is Thyroid Cancer Treated?

Treatment options available for the management of thyroid cancer includes:

• Surgery.
• Chemotherapy.
• External beam radiation.
• Radio-ablation using radioactive iodine (I-131)
• Targeted therapy using Lenvatinib and sorafenib for advanced metastatic cancer.
• Any combination of the above treatments.

How Much Time Taken During Pet Scan for Thyroid Cancer?

The whole procedure of PET scan takes approximately 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent. However, the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 30-40 minutes.

Also, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.

How much time it takes for PET scan report of thyroid cancer?

You will get reports on the next day. However, you can get the image films on the same day if required by your doctor.

Risks/Side Effects of Pet Scan in Thyroid Cancer?

PET scan is a safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radioactive drug is very low, also it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can flush the radioactive agent faster from your body.

However, some risks/side effects about PET scan are as following:

• Allergic reactions to the radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
• Diabetic patients have low levels of insulin (help in transport of glucose across cells). Insulin deficiency may lead to low absorption of FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) which may alter test results. So, inform your doctor before test.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your doctor before undergoing PET scan.