When it comes to battling medical conditions, an accurate diagnosis is just as essential as the appropriate treatment. An incorrect diagnosis may delay the right treatment, or even cause the present condition to worsen. On the other hand, a precise, timely diagnosis leads to the required treatment being administered on time, which alleviates symptoms and increases the success rate of treatment. A PET scan is an advanced technology that produces high quality images of the tissues in the body, leading to timely treatment. PET scan results have helped save a number of lives, making it an essential technology in today’s world.
How does a PET scan work?
A PET scan essentially uses radiation and molecular imaging to visualize the organs and tissues in the body at a cellular level. This allows for a diagnosis of conditions in their early stages, even before symptoms may show up. During a PET scan, the patient is administered a radioactive tracer, which is a small amount of radioactive compound mixed with glucose. This tracer than travels through the whole body, collecting in the various tissues and organs present in the body. It also comes in contact with cancer cells, which use more energy than other cells. As these cells are more active, they absorb a larger quantity of the tracer. The patient is then made to lie down on a scanning tray and the PET scanner then identifies the presence of cancer cells in the target area, by highlighting areas with a larger amount of radioactive tracer. It can also be used to diagnose several heart or brain ailments.
What are the uses of PET scan?
Most people wonder, ‘Why do I need a PET scan?’ A PET scan can be used for a wide variety of purpose.
- Diagnosing heart ailments such as Coronary Artery Disease, etc.
- Detecting the presence of numerous types of Cancer
- Identifying brain disorders such as Parkinson’s, dementia, Alzheimer’, and more
- Determine the progression and spread of a disease
- Measure the success of current treatment plans
- Determine if a particular condition has reoccurred after treatment
Ways in which a PET scan can save your life
A PET scan can prove to be life-saving in a number of ways.
- Allows for early diagnosis – An early diagnosis enables early treatment, which allows for higher success rates of the treatment.
- Non-surgical procedure – A PET scan is non-surgical and allows for an accurate diagnosis of conditions without cutting into the body. This eliminates surgical risks.
- Safe procedure – The radiation used during a PET scan is minimal and safe for the body to handle. There are no PET scan side effects.
If you’re looking for the answer to ‘How often can I have a PET scan, if I don’t have any symptoms?’ A PET Scan can help screen for conditions, even when you may not have symptoms, leading to an early diagnosis. Hence, we advise to undergo regular screenings at least once a year. PET CT Scan Mumbai is among the best PET Scan centres in India, owing to the precise and accurate scanning technology available in our state-of-the-art clinic. Aiding in a timely diagnosis of cancer and other ailments since its establishment, we use cutting-edge Discovery IQ technology that produces high-quality scans in a quick time, with maximum patient comfort. With highly-skilled technicians and radiologists, we ensure an accurate diagnosis of the highest standard of excellence, which has helped numerous patients overcome their condition with ease. Get an estimate, today.
