PET Imaging

Advanced Cancer Detection Technology: PET Imaging

Duke Raleigh Hospital is equipped to provide patients with an advanced diagnostic imaging technology known as PET (Positron Emission Tomography). This on-site mobile service is offered in conjunction with Alliance Imaging and provides the latest technology to detect certain types of cancer earlier and help physicians make more informed decisions about treatment options.

What is PET?

PET is a nuclear medicine procedure that produces pictures of the body's biological functions. Changes in these functions in the body often occur before structural changes in anatomy. This technology is predominantly used with other diagnostic imaging procedures to more accurately stage certain cancer types and to allow physicians to provide the most effective therapy for patients.

How is PET used?

PET scans are performed on the whole body. Because PET imaging provides the most accurate diagnosis, staging and restaging capabilities, earlier detection and treatment of cancers such as lung, colorectal, breast, esophageal, head & neck, lymphoma, and melanoma have been possible. PET imaging also benefits certain cardiology studies to determine myocardial viability and some neurology studies to evaluate metabolic activity for Alzheimer's patients and patients who have seizures.

What does the equipment look like?

The PET scanner has a hole in the middle and looks like a large, doughnut. The machine has detector rings that record the emission of energy from a radioactive substance given to the patient in the body. The patient rests on an exam table that moves into the hole of the machine. A computer monitor displays the images from the scanner.

How are the results interpreted?

Physicians must refer their patients for a PET scan. A specially trained radiologist interprets images and forwards a report to the referring physician. It usually takes one to three days to interpret, report, and deliver the results.

Ask your physician about PET Imaging at Duke Raleigh. Please call 919-954-3376 for more information about this service.

Information derived from http://www.radiologyinfo.org/index.htm was used to support this information.