Phone: (954) 966-3600 | Fax: (954) 967-1962

Contact Information

Phone: (954) 966-3600

Fax: (954) 967-1962

Office Hours

Mon - Fri: 7:30AM – 8:00PM

Saturday: 8:00AM – 3:00PM

Sunday: Closed

PET Scans for Cancer Staging and Treatment

Jun 14, 2021

PET-scanAs you already know, Hollywood Diagnosticss Center offers many services, scans, and tests to aid in maintaining your health and well-being. One such scan that is done often is a PET scan. A PET (positron emission tomography) scan is a type of imaging test that uses radioactive glucose to detect where cancer cells may be located in the body. Since cancer cells intake more glucose than normal cells, injecting glucose into a vein and viewing the computerized image on a scan can reveal where the glucose concentrations are, revealing cancerous cells within the body.

PET scans are done so that they can provide help for medical teams to determine treatment options for patients suffering with cancer. PET scans can cause anxiety. Learning the benefits and the risks along with why these tests are recommended can help you make informed decisions and hopefully relieve some of your concerns.

PET Scans for Cancer

Your doctor may recommend a PET scan if cancer is suspected through other imaging tests like an MRI or a CT scan.

Before recommending a PET scan, your doctor may do a physical exam and ask about your family’s medical history. They may also order lab tests of your blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. Many times these lab tests are inconclusive. They do not necessarily mean you do or do not have cancer. This is why scans such as PET may be used.

Radiotracers concentrate in tumors or areas of the body that are inflamed and don’t always clearly show that this tissue is cancerous since the inflammation may be caused by something other than cancer.

PET scans reveal possible cancerous areas earlier than other forms of testing. This makes them very valuable for early detection and treatment. If a cancer diagnosis is given, PET scans may be recommended throughout treatment to see that treatment is working and to assess the likely outcome of the disease. After cancer treatment, PET scans can be used to check for cancer recurrence.

Diagnosing Cancer

PET scans can help diagnose new or recurrent cancer. Cell growth can be detected with a PET scan, but not all cancer types can be seen. Further tests typically need to be performed to complete the diagnosis.

Additionally, other tests will be necessary to determine whether an area with a lot of radioactive activity is malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). If your results are inconclusive, your doctor will order further tests and care options.

Staging Cancer

PET scans can be used to determine how much cancer is in a person’s body and how far the cancer has spread, which is called staging. Since PET scans can detect more cancerous sites than CT scans alone, they are often used in the initial staging and follow-up testing to see if and how the cancer is spreading. PET scan results may lead to changes in your treatment plan.

The benefits of PET scans for cancer outweigh the potential risks

If you live in South Florida, or specifically the city of Hollywood, and are in need of a PET Scan, or any medical imaging, then call the Hollywood Diagnosticss Center today! Medical professionals are ready to assist you with all of the tests and procedures that you need to get your health in order. All of the staff is friendly and ready to answer any questions you have regarding any medical imaging technologies and procedures. Call the Hollywood Diagnostics Center at Phone: (954) 966-3600 today!