PET/CT helps physicians diagnose, stage, and treat cancer with more accuracy than ever before. The exam can provide answers to the following critical questions:

1. 1. Where is the tumor?
2. 2. Is it spreading?
3. 3. How large is it?
4. 4. What is the optimal therapy?
5. 5. Is the therapy working?
6. 6. Is there a recurrence?

Yes, preparation instructions may include fasting for a specific period, avoiding strenuous exercise, and discontinuing certain medications. Your healthcare provider will provide detailed instructions based on your specific scan requirements.

Factors such as a patient's body weight, body habitus and scan type may determine whether or not the scan can be performed. The weight limit for our PET/CT equipment at Day Kimball Hospital is 400 pounds.

You will receive a small injection of FDG (sugar water with a radioactive tracer). You will sit or lie down on a comfortable chair or bed for 30 to 90 minutes while the FDG travels throughout your body.

After this time, the technologist will assist you to the scanner. The CT portion of the exam is completed first, followed by the PET portion. You may be asked to hold your breath for several seconds while the CT scan is performed.

It is important that you don't move for the duration of the exam. When the total scan is finished, the computers will produce images for the radiologist to review.

Every PET/CT exam is different, but most patients can expect to be at the center for two to three hours. This includes the time needed for the injected tracer to distribute throughout your body, as well as the time you actually spend moving through the scanner. Your height and the area of the body being scanned determine the exact length of your exam.

Once the total scan has been performed, you may resume daily activity. Even though the FDG will quickly leave your body, you can expedite the process by drinking plenty of water after your scan is complete.

The reading radiologist will contact your referring physician to communicate all pertinent information from your scan. Then your referring physician will contact you to share the results.