PET TC Marbella | PET-CT diagnosis | HC Marbella International Hospital

PET – CT

The first step to good treatment is a good diagnosis,In cancer management, imaging is essential for this. Many cancers can be effectively treated if they are detected early.

PET-CT is the diagnostic tool of choice for medical specialists, essential for cancer staging and treatment monitoring. As well as being a diagnostic tool, it is an essential test during treatment, helping to accurately plan the precise treatment required in each case.

What is a PET-CT?

It is a fundamental diagnostic technique in oncological and neurological disease. Anatomical/metabolic information can be obtained during a single procedure, in real time, increasing diagnostic accuracy. The technique combines:

PET (positron emission tomography) which provides metabolic information, in other words it allows us to assess the function of tissue and organs.
CT (computerised axial tomography) which allows us to use imaging to accurately locate the anatomical region.

The fusion of both images provides essential information on the location, extension and behaviour of the disease. Based on these results, your specialist can plan the most effective treatment as well as monitor the progress of your disease and your response to treatment.

Why do I need a PET-CT?

The objective of the technique is the study of different processes, mainly oncological. The PET-CT technique has shown high sensitivity in the detection of different tumor lesions.

The results of this test provide enormous added value to the rest of the diagnostic tests, allowing the doctor to carry out a better staging and initial assessment of the disease, and later an adequate therapeutic planning and supervision of its effectiveness.

Who will perform the PET-CT?

Although your doctor is the one who requests the test, the Nuclear Medicine and Radiology specialists are those who interpret the PET-CT investigation. Both are experts in diagnostic imaging.

These doctors are supported by technicians, professionals who have undergone extensive training in medical imaging equipment. This highly qualified professional team ensure that the PET-CT investigation images are of the highest quality, whilst making sure that patients feel as comfortable as possible during the procedure.

How does it work?

During the test, a radiopharmaceutical is injected and distributed throughout the body. Generally, fluorodeoxyglucose F 18 (FDG), a molecule similar to glucose, is used.

Cells which present higher metabolic activity, as is the case with tumour cells, consume more glucose with a higher uptake of the injected radiopharmaceutical. When the images are processed, these zones of higher uptake are brighter and “shine” with more intensity, accentuating more active tissues.

Benefits of HC Marbella’s PET-CT

It is a simple, painless and safe test.

It is effective

Detection of lesions of up to 3 mm, 36% smaller, with superior imaging quality, obtaining essential information for an early diagnosis and a more precise treatment strategy.

Better image quality during movement due to a system known as ““respiratory gating” “ which synchronises image taking with the patient’s breathing movements, giving a more accurate diagnosis as a result, very effective for the detection of pulmonary micronodules.

Metal artefact reduction system for patients with implants such as pacemakers, dental implants, fillings… It minimises the glare, providing higher quality imaging in the zones that could not be seen for this reason previously.

It is safe

It allows higher quality imaging to be obtained with both a lower dose injected into the patient (up to 50% less) and minimum exposure to radiation (up to 60% less) with a shorter test time.

It is more comfortable

The time taken by the test is shorter, less time in the machine.

It is designed to reduce the feeling of claustrophobia for the patient.

More information on the benefits of HC Marbella’s new PET-CT

What should be done before the test?

The day before the test the hospital personnel will contact the patient to confirm the appointment time.

On the day of the exam, the patient should come calm and relaxed, avoiding physical efforts as much as possible, because exertion can alter the result of the test. It is advisable to come by car with a companion driving it.

Before the test, the hospital should be provided with the following information:

Diabetic patients should keep glucose level under control, if the patient is insulin-dependent he shouldn´t receive insulin 4 to 6 hours before the test.
If the patient is pregnant or is a nursing mother.
If the patient has any special needs
If the patient weighs over 100 kg.
If the patient has another medical appointment or has other tests scheduled the same day.
If the patient has had any type of interventions (biopsies or surgeries) recently.
If the patient has an infection or has recently suffered one.
If the patient has received recently chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Before the exam, the patient fasts for 4 to 6 hours, to avoid misleading in the results, because the radiopharmaceutical which is injected is similar to glucose (FDG). During that time the patient can only drink water or non-sugary fluids.

It is not mandatory to stop taking your regular medication.

As this radiopharmaceutical is eliminated through the urine it is advisable to be well hydrated before and particularly after the test. The patient must drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of the test (at least 1 litre).

The patient should not make physical exercise 24 hours before the test.

The patient mustn´t come with children or pregnant women.

What happens during the test?

After your history has been reviewed, you will go to the Preparation Cubicle where you will receive an 18F-FDG injection. .

You will stay in the Cubicle for between 45-50 minutes (in semi-darkness and as relaxed as possible), during this time the drug is distributed throughout your body.

Afterwards you will move to the Investigation Roomwhere a technician will ask you to lie down, face up, and will tell you how to position your arms. They will ask you to remain as calm as possible throughout the investigation, as movement can interfere with the results.

You should maintain gentle, shallow breathing, avoiding any sudden movements. You will not experience any discomfort during the investigation which can last from 15 – 25 minutes.

After the investigation

Once the test has been completed and the quality of the images obtained has been checked, you will be able to go home and eat and drink as usual whilst following the recommendations below:

Drink 1 litre of water throughout the rest of the day to help eliminate the drug.
Have no contact with small children or pregnant women for the 8 hours following the investigation.
If you are breastfeeding, it is recommended that you stop for 24 hours after the test.