How Does Pet Scan Work? The principle behind detection of tumor cells in body by using PET scan is detection of radioactivity emitted by the radio tracer in the body. Radiotracer is glucose which is radio – labeled...
How Does Pet Scan Work?
The principle behind detection of tumor cells in body by using PET scan is detection of radioactivity emitted by the radio tracer in the body.
Radiotracer is glucose which is radio – labeled and it is injected into the body 1-2 hours before the actual scanning and imaging part of PET scan takes place.
Tumor cells are metabolically more active as compared to non-cancerous cells. Hence, they exhibit hypermetabolism or hypermetabolic activity.
As a result of hypermetabolism, cancerous cells take up much more glucose as compared to non-cancerous cells.
Radiotracer that is injected into the body before scan has radio-labeled glucose. The radioactivity is detected as it emits photons.
Cancerous cells take up more radio-labeled glucose (FDG - fluorodeoxyglucose) because of hypermetabolism and appear different in color as compared to non-cancerous cells.
How does hypermetabolic activity help in detection of site of tumor and tumor metastasis?
The color intensity and difference in colors that appear during PET scan signify different levels of metabolic activity of tissues.
Usually, cancerous cells have high metabolic activity. It is also referred as high glycolytic activity as these cells (tumor cells) take up FDG in much more amounts as compared to normal/ non-cancerous cells.
The color coding in PET scan helps in visual interpretation of low, moderate and high uptake of FDG by tissues in the body.
Blue-green colors show moderate to low metabolic activity, yellow-orange colors indicate high metabolic activity and red indicates very high and alarming metabolic activity.
PET scan is more accurate than any standard approach in detecting metastasis of cancer. PET scan is unable to detect small microscopic tumors but it is efficient in detecting clusters of cells (tissues) that spread to other organs of the body.
What Do Different Colors Mean on Pet Scan?
PET scan images are reported mostly in format or color coded format. Different colors signify different levels of metabolic activity in PET can.
Following table gives an idea about what different colors mean on a PET scan:
|
Color |
Inference of metabolic activity |
|
Red |
Area of very high metabolic activity |
|
Yellow |
Area of high metabolic activity |
|
Green |
Area of moderate metabolic activity |
|
Blue |
Area of low metabolic activity |
|
Grey/Black |
Area of no metabolic activity |
Is every hypermetabolic focal point in PET scan cancerous?
No, not every hypermetabolic focal point in PET scan is cancerous.
Reasons for hypermetabolism in PET scan other than malignant tumor:
- Benign tissue
- Inflammation
- Infection
Differential diagnosis is done in such cases by using CT scan along with PET scan, called as PET - CT scan.
What Is Hypermetabolic Lymph Node on Pet Scan?
Hypermetabolic lymph node on PET scan does not necessarily mean cancer. It can be due to infection or inflammation as well. But, it gives an indication towards possibility of metastasis of cancer to axillary lymph nodes. Consult your doctor for correct diagnosis and advice!
Where to Get Pet Scan Done?
At Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, FLAT 50% OFF is given on all types of PET scans.
The aim of GDIC is to provide top-notch technology at the most reasonable price.
Following is the list of PET scans at available GDIC:
FDG-PET Scan at 23900 11950INR
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Brain PET scan at 23900 11950INR
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F-18 Choline PET scan at 30000 15000INR
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DOTA PET SCAN at 37000 18500INR
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Whole Body PET scan at 23900 11950INR
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Cardiac PET scan at 27000 13500INR
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PSMA PET scan for Prostate at 30000 15000INR
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Dopa Brain PET scan at 23900 11950INR
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PET Viability Scan Cardiac at 27000 13500INR
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Why choose Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre for getting PET scan?
There are many good options available for getting PET scan done, but the best diagnostic centre is Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, here’s why:
- Excellence backed by NABH and NABL accreditations
- Years of expertise (since 2001)
- Free home sample collection provision
- 100% accurate report
- Digitally available reports
- Open 24 x 7, 365 days
- Test reports within 24 hours
- World’s finest technology at a reasonable price
- Flat 50% off and more
- One-stop solution for all kind of diagnostic and imaging
- Skilled radiologists, pathologists and lab technicians
- Empanelled with various government and non-government organizations:
- CGHS NHA
- NCDC
- NDMC
- DGEHS
- ECHS
- DELHI JAL BOARD
- DAK
- RAILWAYS
- BSES YAMUNA/ RAJDHANI POWER LTD
- TATA POWER LTD
- BJRM HOSPITAL
- ICAR
- BHAGWAN MAHAVIR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
- MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
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