Cancer Information & Support Center

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) State of the Art Cancer Diagnosis

Positron Emission Tomography is a sophisticated diagnostic examination that produces powerful images of the human body’s functions that allow us to identify disease. It uses radioactive glucose known as Fluorodeoxyglucose – Fluorine 18 (FDG) which is produced by a cyclotron. Within the context of healthcare, a cyclotron is an accelerator for atomic and sub-atomic charged particles to produce radioisotopes. During the production of FDG, which takes approximately 90 minutes, the cyclotron produces radiation. This radiation is safely contained by concrete walls, which may be up to 2 meters thick.

Once injected into a patient, the FDG is traced by the PET camera and a computer converts these signals into images. These images represent the chemical functioning of organs and tissues (metabolism), while other imaging techniques such as X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) show the structure (anatomy)

Affected areas of disease and organ failure stand out on the images as regions of increased glucose concentration of or “hot spot”. PET is a popular option for the diagnosis, staging and monitoring of treatment of a range of cancers. Information from PET imaging can be useful to determine which type or combination of treatment is most likely to be beneficial in managing a patient’s tumor. The reliability of the PET imaging has been even more enhanced by the evolution of the PET/CT; a PET camera and a CT scanner secured together. Aside from full body screening, PET can also be used for brain and heart imaging.

This reading material is obtained from “International Lecture Series, ” Siloam Gleneagles Hospital, Lippo Karawaci, 2005