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FDG PET scan stands for fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. It is an advanced tool for used for diagnosis and evaluation of metabolically active lesions such as breast cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, brain tumor,...
What is FDG-PET Scan?
FDG PET scan stands for fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. It is an advanced tool for used for diagnosis and evaluation of metabolically active lesions such as breast cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, brain tumor, colorectal cancer etc.
It is also used for staging cancers and monitoring response to treatment in cancer patients.
cells. Although FDG uptake is also seen in infectious and inflammatory conditions.
FDG-PET test is based on the principle of “Warburg Effect”. Cancer cells are dependent on anerobic glycolysis which releases less energy as compared to aerobic glycolysis.
However, the energy demands of rapidly dividing cancer cells is very high. To overcome this, cancer cells express more GLUTs (glucose transporter) and enzyme Hexokinase which results in enhanced glucose uptake and their phosphorylation within cancer cells.
Thus, FDG is taken by cancer cells and is phosphorylated to FDG-6-phosphate which can’t be metabolized further by cancer cells and get accumulated within them and is responsible for tumor visualization and identification on FDG-PET scan. FDG is the most frequently used radiopharmaceutical agent in PET scanning.
FDG-PET/CT is a highly sensitive imaging modality as it provides functional imaging and anatomical imaging together in one session delineating the metabolic, biochemical and anatomical details of tissues or organ.
Why do I need FDG PET scan?
FDG PET scan has revolutionized cancer identification, diagnosis, staging, treatment and monitoring.
It is also used in diagnosis and evaluation of many disorders including:
1) Cancers
* Thyroid malignancy
* Breast cancer
* Colorectal cancer
* Lung cancer
* Liver cancer or hepatocellular cancer
* Gynecological cancers such as cervical cancer, ovarian cancer
* Brain tumours etc.
2) Distant metastases
3) Cancer recurrence
4) To assess prognosis and monitoring of therapy in cancer patients
5) Differentiation of benign lesions from malignant ones
6) Inflammatory disorders
7) Infectious disorders
8) Musculoskeletal diseases
9) Recurrent and refractory seizures
10) IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)
11) Periprosthetic Infections
12) Cardiovascular diseases
13) Alzheimer disease
14) Brain atrophy and Dementias
15) Before Radiotherapy or chemoradiation therapy
16) Evaluation of asymptomatic patients with rising tumor marker levels
17) Before surgical approach to brain- for localization of specific site
How do I prepare for FDG PET scan?
Follow these steps before going for FDG-PET test-
1) Get an appointment- Schedule your appointment in a Diagnostic center having the facility of FDG-PET scan because it is available in limited centers.
2) Fasting- 6-7 hours fasting is required before FDG-PET test. 24 hours prior to scan don’t take sugars/carbohydrate in your diet. You should also inform your Clinician about all drugs and supplements that you are currently taking.
3) Don’t perform any strenuous exercise and deep massage for 48 hours prior to your test.
4) Caffeine- For 24-hours before the scan, avoid caffeinated products if you are scheduled for cardiac PET.
5) Pregnancy and breastfeeding - Tell your Doctor about pregnancy if you are pregnant or if you breastfed your baby so that your Doctor can evaluate the risk vs benefit ratio.
6) Allergy- Inform your Clinician about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
7) Clothing- Dress yourself in clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.
8) Medical reports- Don’t forget to carry all relevant medical reports along with you while going for PET scan. These reports may aid in better evaluation of your condition. Also, don’t forget to inform your doctor if you have Diabetes.
9) Claustrophobia and anxiety - If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your Doctor about it. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
10) Implants - Inform your doctor about any implant in your body such as cardiac implant, inner ear implants, metallic dentures, neurostimulators or any type of hearing aids etc.
11)Take a company- Get accompanied by friend or family member to have mental ,emotional and physical support and to drive you home
What is the procedure for FDG PET scan?
The procedure of PET scan includes the following steps:
1) Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
2) You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellry , hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, wallets ,keys, coins, cards containing metallic strips , belts ,goggles etc.
3) An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent, FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is given to you.
4) You will be then asked to sit quietly for about an hour to allow the radiotracer agent to get distributed to your body tissues and organs via bloodstream. The radioactive agent get accumulated in areas of high metabolic activity such as cancerous tissues.
5) If PET-CT is being scheduled then you may get another intravenous injection of a contrast agent which yield high clarity images on CT scan.
6) You will be then asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure .
7) You may be provided with head phones or ear plugs to make you feel more comfortable.
8) If you have Claustrophobia or anxiety disorder, then you may be given sedatives or some other alternatives to make you feel comfortable during the scan.
9) Before scan, your assisting Doctor will explain about all the possible adverse effects of using radiopharmaceutical or contrast material such as itching , rash, swelling etc. Your KFT report will be required to rule out any kidney disease/pathology and to check your GFR.
10) Then you will be asked to lie supine on examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
11) You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced.
12) Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpretated for making a definite diagnosis.
What happens after FDG PET scan?
* You will be allowed to exit the scanner room once the procedure is over.
* You may be asked to wait in observation room for some time to evaluate any possible side effects of radiotracer or contrast being used.
* Drink water to flush radiotracer or contrast material from your body.
* The whole procedure of scanning takes about 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent, FDG. Whereas the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 30-40 minutes. However, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.
* Don’t breastfeed your baby for 24 hours post injection of radiotracer.
* You will get reports on the next day. However, you may get the image films on the same day if requested by your Clinician.
Risks/Side effects of FDG-PET scan?
FDG-PET scan is safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radiopharmaceutical agent is very low and it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can help to flush the radiotracer faster from your body.
However, some concerns about PET/CT are as follows
1) Diabetic patients have low level of insulin which help in transport of glucose across cells. Insulin deficiency may lead to low absorption of FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) which may alter test results. So inform your Doctor before test.
2) Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your Doctor before undergoing FDG-PET/CT.
3) Allergic reactions to radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
What is the cost of FDG-PET scan?
Price of FDG-PET scan generally vary with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of services they provide and the offers currently availing in them.
FDG-PET test is an advanced diagnostic and monitoring tool that is available at limited diagnostic centers as it requires costly and modern equipments and skilled Radiologists to perform the scan. PET scan charges also vary with the body part which need to be examined and the type of PET scan.
To choose the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Delhi.
Click here!
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test.
You can avail FDG-PET Scan at just Rs 23900
Which is the best diagnostic center for FDG PET scan?
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center(GDIC) is the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Rohini, Delhi.
We have the latest GEMINI TF PET/CT WITH TruFlight technology in our centers.
We are also having the facility of different types of PET scan including:
2) FDG-PET Scan
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center is a NABH and NABL accredited top diagnostic center situated in ROHINI and various other locations of Delhi. It is equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.
Currently, we are offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan.
We are open 24X7 and 365 days. You can also get free online or offline Consultation with our Senior Radiologist, Dr. Ravin Sharma regarding any imaging and scanning test.
We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR. We are also empanelled with various departments and organizations. So you can get the services at panel rate too.
Hurry! Grab the best deals now!
For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or Call us now!
To avail free online consultation with Radiologist. Click here!
To know more about our services. Click here!
To know details about PET scan. Click here
