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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Use Of Pet Scan ?

my mum has had an xray and ct scan on her lung as they have found a shadow ,she has now got to go for a pet scan does that mean she has cancer?
Wed, 11 Apr 2012
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Radiologist, Nuclear Medicine 's  Response
Hi
Referring you for a PET scan doesn't automatically mean that you have cancer. However, PET scan is extensively used in cancer patients.

A PET scan is a functional and anatomic fusion imaging which detects areas of high glucose uptake in the body.

From the details you provided, it seem your mum has either a lung nodule ( 3 cm).
If its only one in number, its a solitary pulmonary nodule / mass (SPN). SPN can be due to cancer or be due to non-cancerous conditions.

The simple dictum is patients need a biopsy or excision if the suspected lesion is active on PET scan. The patient can be safely followed by if PET scan is negative. Obviously, there are exceptions to the general rule.

In my opinion, your mum should have been referred to a PET scan to find if the suspected area is active (glucose utilisation is high) or not.
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General & Family Physician Dr. Ramesh M.Vachharajani's  Response
Hi,Michelle,
Thanks for query,
They have some doubt about pathology in the lung for which they want detail of the pathology,not necessarily of cancer.
Bye pet scan they will get detail conclude the diagnosis.
ok and bye.
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What Is The Use Of Pet Scan ?

Hi Referring you for a PET scan doesn t automatically mean that you have cancer. However, PET scan is extensively used in cancer patients. A PET scan is a functional and anatomic fusion imaging which detects areas of high glucose uptake in the body. From the details you provided, it seem your mum has either a lung nodule ( 3 cm). If its only one in number, its a solitary pulmonary nodule / mass (SPN). SPN can be due to cancer or be due to non-cancerous conditions. The simple dictum is patients need a biopsy or excision if the suspected lesion is active on PET scan. The patient can be safely followed by if PET scan is negative. Obviously, there are exceptions to the general rule. In my opinion, your mum should have been referred to a PET scan to find if the suspected area is active (glucose utilisation is high) or not.