American College of Radiology, Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

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Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Location

In a joint effort to provide ongoing state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging for Lowell and its surrounding communities, Lowell General Hospital and New England PET of Greater Lowell are pleased to bring PET/CT technology to The Cancer Center at Lowell General Hospital.

The spacious and comfortable PET/CT suite is located on the second floor of The Cancer Center and is available for appointments five days a week. Please notify us at least 24 hours in advance to reschedule an appointment at 978-458-9872.

About PET

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is the most advanced cancer imaging test available, allowing cancer to be detected more quickly and accurately, often without the need for additional imaging or invasive procedures. For example, a PET scan can determine if a lesion or tumor is benign or malignant. In many cases, this can be determined without a biopsy or the removal of the organ or tissue. PET can define the full extent of cancer at the time of diagnosis, guiding physicians in the optimal use of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatment.

What Is PET/CT?

PET/CT combines in one single study the functional information of PET with the anatomical information provided by a CT scan. This PET/CT information will enable your physician to pinpoint the exact location of interest and helps in making an accurate diagnosis.

What to Expect During a PET/CT Scan

You will need to allow 2-3 hours for the completion of the PET/CT scan. Prior to the procedure, a small amount of a radioactive "tracer" is injected into the bloodstream. Then, you can relax in a quiet room for up to 90 minutes to allow the tracer to circulate through your body. At that point, you lay on a table that passes slowly through the PET/CT scanner, which looks much like a typical CT scanner. The scanner creates an image of your body and metabolic process within organs and organ systems and takes 20 to 30 minutes. Please read the About your PET/CT Scan patient brochure for more information.

What the PET/CT Scan Can Detect

PET/CT can track the progress of the disease and how the body is responding to treatment, allowing physicians to seek alternative therapies for those patients who are not responding to treatment. PET/CT scans detect recurrence of cancer long before other imaging tests would reveal it, giving physicians an early indication when additional treatment is needed.

In addition to its advances in cancer detection, PET/CT is used for early detection of heart and neurological diseases. PET/CT is the most accurate test to reveal whether heart tissue is alive and will benefit from a bypass surgery. PET/CT can also detect and define brain disorders, including Alzheimer's and seizure disorders.