Chest PET scan: When to go for it

Chest PET (positron emission tomography) is non surgical radiological procedure used to look for abnormalities in any part of the chest. Chest PET is used to detect the cancer or infection in any part of the chest including lungs and heart. PET scan for the chest is specific to look for the abnormalities like cancers, blood flow and infection in the chest cavity. Chest PET looks for the condition of lungs and heart. The procedure uses radioactive tracer for the detection of abnormality at cell metabolism level. Commonly used radioactive tracer for this condition is 18F-FDG.

What is Chest PET scan?

Chest PET is radiological diagnostic procedure that is used to look for the cancers in any part of the chest cavity. In this procedure each part of the chest cavity is examined for the detection of cancer, blood flow or infection etc.  Chest PET scan uses 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG). This procedure is also helpful in determining the stage of cancer, spread of cancer and effect of treatment, if already done. 

When to go for Chest PET scan?

Patient having any abnormality suggesting towards cancer, blood flow abnormalities or infection in the chest cavity can go for the chest PET scan. It is advised to visit the doctor first and he can suggest the scan based on the condition of patient. Before going for the scan, patient needs to reveal all his medical history, allergies towards medication, which medications or nutraceutical being taken etc. After reviewing these entire conditions doctor may suggest the chest PET scan. The procedure involves the usage of radioactive tracer so it is important to reveal all medical record for the safety of patient.

What is the procedure of Chest PET scan?

Patient going for the scan is advised to wear loose clothes on the scan day. Patient should not take any food for 6 hours before the scan and avoid caffeine for 24 hours. Radioactive tracer like 18F-FDG is injected in the patient and allowed to wait for 1 hour till the medicine reaches all parts of the body. After 1 hour, patient is instructed to lie on a table attached with the scanner, the table slides into the scanner where further process occurs. The scanning procedure could take around 30-40 minutes and then patient is taken out of the scanning machine. Patient is advised to take lot of water after the scan is over to flush out radioactive tracer from the body.

What can Chest PET scan detect in the body?

A chest PET scan can detect various conditions in the body and these conditions include:

• Cancer in lungs of heart
• Spread of caner
• Stage of cancer
• Reduced blood flow
• Heart damage after stroke
• Effects of heart attack
• Can assess the probability of heart attack.
• Evaluating effect of treatment
• Growth of cancer
• Detects infection
• Any abnormal build up in lungs 

Conclusion

Chest PET is radiological diagnostic procedure that is used to look for the cancers in any part of the chest cavity. In this procedure each part of the chest cavity is examined for the detection of cancer, blood flow or infection etc. Patient can go for the chest PET scan, if he suspects any symptoms related to chest cancer, infection or blood flow related issues in the heart. Patient should consult a doctor before going for the chest PET scan as doctor can suggest best option after knowing the symptoms and medical history. PET scan chest uses 18F-FDG radioactive tracer which can have complications if interact with other medications. So, it is important to reveal all medical history, medications taking and allergies towards the medications. After analyzing all the conditions, doctor can suggest a best option for chest scanning. Chest PET scan can show different conditions of the like cancer, spread of cancer, location of cancer, infections in the chest, blood flow abnormalities etc.