EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT CANCER PATIENT SCENARIOS-

HOW PET IMAGING CAN HELP

LUNG CANCER

During a routine physical examination your doctor tells you that the routine chest x-ray showed a lesion in your right lung and it’s not sure whether it is benign or malignant. A PET scan will show whether the lesion is benign or malignant. If the lesion is benign, you can be monitored over time with chest x-rays to detect any changes in the lesion. If the lesion is found to be malignant by PET scan, the same PET scan can determine if the cancer has spread. The PET scan will also show if surgery or some other type of therapy is needed.

RECURRENT COLORECTAL CANCER

You have a history of colon cancer. Your doctor tells you that your serum CEA levels have increased. A CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis is negative. A PET scan can determine whether there is a recurrence of the colon cancer and if it has spread. The PET scan can also help determine what treatment would be indicated.

BREAST CANCER

You have a history of breast cancer and have recently developed symptoms that worry you. A PET scan can determine whether there is a recurrence of the cancer and the extent of its spread. One PET scan can image most of the body eliminating the need for several other scans to be done.

LYMPHOMA

You have been diagnosed with a lymphoma. A PET scan can determine the extent of the disease. A follow up PET scan can determine the success of treatment of this disease.

RECURRENT MELANOMA

You have a history of malignant melanoma. Recently you develop pain in your abdomen. It is possible that the melanoma has spread to your abdominal cavity. A PET scan can determine whether the cancer has recurred and spread. It can also help determine what treatment you should receive.

THE HEART

You have been told that your heart is so damaged that you need a heart transplant. A PET scan can determine whether the heart muscle is damaged beyond repair or could be salvaged by bypass surgery.

THE BRAIN

Your doctor suspects that you have early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. A PET scan can diagnose this condition in its early stages so that aggressive treatment can occur. A PET scan can also find areas of seizure activity that could be removed by surgery.

Below are the transaxial slices from a PET brain scan: