F-18 Choline PET Scan

Prostate carcinoma (prostate cancer) is one of the most common types of potentially fatal cancer. This cancer typically occurs in the male prostate gland. The main function of the prostate gland is to produce the seminal fluid that carries sperm.

A PET (positron emission tomography) scan is an imaging procedure that uses choline F-18 to assess patients with prostate carcinoma. Choline F-18 is a special chemical tracer that is also known as fluoromethylcholine-18. This scan helps in detecting the location of recurrent prostate cancer that has returned even after successful treatment of prostate cancer.

Other Name

18 F-choline PET/CT scan

Why is the choline F-18 PET scan done?

This scanning technique is considered the most effective imaging methodology for assessing patients with prostate cancer. It is recommended over other imaging procedures because of its efficiency when other diagnostic procedures fail to diagnose prostate cancer or its recurrence.

This helps in detecting the spread of cancer before the surgical procedure and the recurrence of the disease after the successful completion of the radical prostatectomy. This methodology allows the doctor to select a highly effective treatment to diagnose not only large but also small deposits of cancer inside and outside the prostate gland.

Preparation

6-10 hours of fasting

How is the choline F-18 PET scan done?

To perform a choline F-18 PET scan, a special chemical tracer is injected into the vein of the patient.

It takes one hour for the chemical tracer to be absorbed by the patient's prostate cancer cells.

The scanner detects the location of the prostate cancer cells and displays the result.

What is the cost of a choline F-18 PET scan?

The cost of a choline F-18 PET scan in Delhi varies depending on the diagnostic center. But it is between INR 20,000 and INR 30,000.