Role of PET scan in Ovarian Cancer: What is it, Uses, Preparation, Procedure & Cost

Role of PET scan in Ovarian Cancer: What is it, Uses, Preparation & Cost

What Is Ovarian Cancer? Ovaries are the part of female reproductive system. It is composed of 3 different types of cells such as: Epithelial cells Germ cells Stromal cells Ovarian cancer is the malignancy of...

What Is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovaries are the part of female reproductive system. It is composed of 3 different types of cells such as:

Epithelial cells
Germ cells
Stromal cells

Ovarian cancer is the malignancy of ovaries. Depending upon the cell of origin, there are various types of ovarian cancers such as germ cell tumors, sex cord stromal tumors or epithelial tumors. Risk of ovarian cancers increases with aging and depend upon other factors too. Incidence varies with the geographical location.

What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer may present with different signs or symptoms depending upon the type of ovarian cancer and may include:

Abdominal pain
Pelvic pain
Anorexia
Weight loss
Fatigue
Weakness
Post-coital bleeding
Irregular menstrual cycles
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Post-menopausal bleeding
Hirsutism
Virilization
Back pain
Nausea
Bloating
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Constipation
Increased frequency of urination
Urgency of micturition
Ovarian torsion
Adnexal mass
Compression of Abdomino-pelvic organs
Sister Mary Joseph nodule due to metastasis.

What Is the Role of PET Scan in Ovarian Cancer?

PET Scan is used for the evaluation and analysis of metabolic or biochemical properties of tissues or organ. Your health care professional may recommend a PET scan for the following indications in Ovarian cancer:

Cancer staging: PET scan may be used for staging of ovarian cancer.
Detection of metastases: PET scan plays a crucial role in identification and localization of distant metastases.
To plan management of ovarian cancer.
To evaluate the prognosis of cancer patients.
To assess the effectiveness of treatment.
To check for cancer recurrence post treatment.

How Do I Prepare for PET Scan in Ovarian Cancer?

Follow these steps if you are going for a PET scan:

Get an appointment: Schedule a prior appointment in a Diagnostic center having the facility of PET scan as it is available in limited centers. This saves your time too by avoiding waiting at the time of scan.
Fasting: 6-7 hours fasting is required for PET scan.
Medications: Certain drugs may alter test results. Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements that you are currently taking.
Smoking and tobacco: On the day of your scan, don’t smoke or chew tobacco products as nicotine present in these substances causes vasoconstriction and may alter the test results.
Caffeine: For 24-hours before the scan, avoid caffeinated products.
Clothing: Dress yourself in clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.
Allergy: Inform your doctor about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Inform your doctor about pregnancy if you are pregnant or if you breastfeed your baby so that your doctor can evaluate the risk vs benefit ratio.
Exercise: Don’t perform any strenuous exercise for 24-hours prior to your test.
Claustrophobia and anxiety: If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
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.
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.
Take a company: Get accompanied by a friend or family member to have mental, emotional and physical support and to drive you home.

What Is the Procedure of PET Scan in Ovarian Cancer?

The procedure of PET scan includes the following steps:

Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
You will be then asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure.
You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellery, hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, wallets, keys, coins, cards containing metallic strips, belts, goggles etc.
An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent usually FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is given to you.
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 gets accumulated in areas of high metabolic activity such as cancerous tissues.
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.
You may be provided with head phones or ear plugs to make you feel more comfortable.
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.
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.
Then you will be asked to lie supine on the examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced.
Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpreted for making a definite diagnosis.

What Happens After PET Scan?

Once the imaging is over you may be allowed to exit the scanner room and asked to wait in the observation room for some time, to check for any possible side effect of radioactive or contrast agent being used.

You should drink water to clear out the radiotracer or contrast agent from your body.

Price of PET Scan for Ovarian Cancer in Delhi?

Price of PET scan generally varies with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of machines they provide and the offers currently availing in them. PET scan charges also vary with the body part which need to be examined and the type of PET scan.

PET scan 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.

To choose the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Delhi.

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test.

Various PET scan prices at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC)are as following:

For more details, click here!

Best diagnostic center for PET scan?

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Rohini, Delhi. We have many branches in different locations of Delhi including Hari Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Nangloi, Derawal Nagar and Mangol puri.

We are having the facility of different types of PET scan including:

F-18 Choline PET Scan

PSMA PET Scan For Prostate

Dopa Brain PET Scan

Cardiac Viability PET Scan

Cardiac 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.

For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now!

FAQs Related to Ovarian Cancer & PET Scan:

What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?

There are several risk factors for the development of ovarian cancer including:

Family History of ovarian cancer
Inherited mutations in BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes
Increasing age
Early menarche
Late menopause
Nulliparous women
Ovulation inducing drugs
Obesity
High BMI
Alcohol
Tobacco
Fertility drugs
Hormonal therapy post menopause
Diseases such as:
1. Diabetes Mellitus
2. Endometriosis
3. PCOD (Polycystic ovarian disease)
4. Maffucci syndrome
5. Ollier disease.

Familial Cancer syndromes such as:
1. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
2. HNPCC (Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer).

Types of ovarian tumors?

According to WHO (World Health Organization) ovarian tumors can be classified as:

Epithelial tumors: They are most common and includes:
- Mucinous tumors
- Serous tumors
- Seromucinous tumors
- Brenner tumors
- Clear cell tumors
- Endometroid tumors
- Undifferentiated carcinoma.
Germ cell tumors:
- Dysgerminoma
- Teratoma
- Yolk sac tumor (Endodermal sinus tumor)
- Choriocarcinoma (Non-gestational)
- Embryonal carcinoma
- Mixed tumors.
Sex cord -stromal tumors:
- Fibroma
- Granulosa cell tumor
- Thecoma
- Leydig cell tumor
- Sertoli cell tumor
- Sertoli- Leydig cell tumor.
Gonadoblastoma:
- Pure form
- Mixed form.
Secondary Metastatic tumors
Miscellaneous tumors.

How is screening done for ovarian cancer?

Screening test is used to check for ovarian cancer when there is no signs or symptoms present. However, ovarian cancer screening is only recommended in high-risk females with family history of ovarian cancer or with positive genetic testing.

Screening may include:

Pelvic examination
TVS (transvaginal sonography) scan
CA-125 level.

These examinations may help in detection of ovarian cancer at an early stage and determine the need for further testing if reports are abnormal.

However, diagnostic tests are recommended when there is presence of signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer or if the screening test is found to be suspicious or abnormal.

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer requires:

A complete history taking of the patient
Physical examination
Pelvic examination
TVS ultrasound
CA-125 and other tumor markers evaluation in blood
Diagnostic laparotomy or laparoscopy
Biopsy from ovarian lesion.

To know the extent of cancer or metastasis, additional tests are performed such as:

CT scan
MRI scan
FDG-PET scan
Mammography
Chest X-rays
Barium enema
Endometrial biopsy
Paracentesis.

What is the prognosis of ovarian cancer?

Prognosis of ovarian cancer is relatively poor due to late detection at an advanced stage. Prognosis may depend upon certain factors such as:

Type of tumor
Age of patient
Response to treatment
Presence of Co-morbid conditions
Stage of tumor
Grade of tumor
Extent of invasion
Metastasis.

What is the survival rate of ovarian cancer?

The 5-year survival rate of ovarian cancer depending upon the patients’ age, type of tumor, stage of cancer, grade of cancer, extent of invasion or metastasis are as following:

46% for all stages of ovarian cancer.
92.7 % if diagnosed at an early stage.

How do ovarian cancer is prevented?

Protective factors that may prevent the development of ovarian cancers includes:

Normal body weight or BMI
Diet having adequate quantity of fibers, vitamins, green leafy vegetables, carotene, non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli.
Green tea
Low fat intake
Oral contraceptives
Tubal ligation
Breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Childbirth
Multiple pregnancy
Prophylactic oophorectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy in women with strong genetic risk.

How is ovarian cancer treated?

Treatment options available for the management of ovarian carcinoma depends upon age of patient, grade and stage of tumor. Management includes:

Surgery such as:
1. Unilateral oophorectomy
2. Bilateral oophorectomy
3. Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy.
4. Omentectomy
5. Debulking surgery.

Chemotherapy
Hormonal therapy
Radiotherapy
Immunotherapy
Palliative management
Any combination of the above treatments.

How much time taken during PET scan for Ovarian cancer?

The whole procedure of PET scan takes approximately 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent. However, the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 30-40 minutes.

Also, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.

How much time it takes for PET scan report?

You will get reports on the next day. However, you can get the image films on the same day if required by your doctor.

Risks/Side effects of PET scan in ovarian cancer?

PET scan is a safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radioactive drug is very low, also it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can flush the radioactive agent faster from your body.

However, some risks/side effects about PET scan are as following:

Allergic reactions to the radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
Diabetic patients have low levels of insulin (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.
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your doctor before undergoing PET scan.