Dynamic Whole-Body PET Scans Deliver More Accurate Cancer Readings

Posted by petctlascolinas on July 22nd, 2015

Having a clear understanding of cancer’s location within the body and its possible spread is critical for increasing the odds of successful treatment. That’s why so much work has been done to perfect positron emission tomography (PET) imaging scans that are dynamic and provide a clearer picture of the entire body.

Courtesy of a new imaging agent, or radioactive tracer, that seeks out and attaches itself to cancer cells, radiotherapists are finding that it is becoming easier and more effective to find cancer where it’s hiding using dynamic whole-body scans.

A recent study involving 16 lung cancer patients shed light on the value of whole-body scans coupled with use of the new tracer. The trial involved the use of multiple PET scan bed positions to provide a more comprehensive look inside the body. Researchers found that the new agent coupled with the more intensive bed positioning enabled them to find not only primary tumors in the lungs, but also scattered metastases throughout the body.

Radiologists involved in the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School study say the new technique has the potential to greatly improve the quality of care for patients with multiple tumors by potentially enabling earlier diagnosis and more accurate prognosis.

While the new procedure shows a great deal of promise, further study is required before its widespread use can be applied. Regulatory approval is also needed for the new tracer agent. The procedure, radiologists involved in the study say, has the potential to provide much more depth to lung cancer imaging while also offering potential in treating a host of other cancers.

Lung cancer strikes an estimated 221,000 people in America each year. The disease claims approximately 158,000 lives annually. Earlier and more accurate diagnosis and treatment protocols are essential for bringing the survival rate up and the number of fatalities down.

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PET / CT of Las Colinas was developed with both patients and physicians in mind and our services have been used for various types of disease; primarily in detecting, staging and monitoring cancer, but also in heart disease and brain disorders.