PET / CT

Acibadem Sistina Hospital has opened the first private PET Center in Macedonia and the region. The hospital operates PET / CT scan which identifies tumors in their early stages and determines whether these tumors are malignant or benign. The scan is also used in the diagnosis of neurological and cardiac disorders.

PET / CT is one of the most effective imaging techniques available nowadays. Briefly, the PET / CT is an imaging technique which displays the functions of organs and tissues in the body ona metabolic level. Combining PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computerized Tomography) advantages, it provides detailed anatomic information. PET / CT is particularly often used in oncology for tumors identification,extent of the tumor determination, radiation therapyplanning and for assessment of patients’reactionto treatment. This scan is available to patients at "Acibadem Sistina" hospital. The usage of this diagnostic method in the world is not limited only to oncology. PET / CT also plays a key role in determining the epileptic focus in neurological cases such as Alzheimer's disease and in detecting live tissue presence in the heart after a heart attack. Thus the scan heralds a new era in the diagnostics and treatment of certain neurological and cardiac diseases.

 At what cancer stage is the PET / CT used?

 

PET / CT for early diagnosis

PET / CT offers significant advantages in early diagnosis. It offers the opportunity to identify many disorders in the initial phase. Before PET / CT appeared, the determination of whether the lymph nodes are affected by the tumor was carried out only by biopsy. Today, with PET / CT application this is determined by a high rate of accuracy. Small tumors of up to 5 mm in diameter can be noticed on the PET / CT images, since information on the patient's body is obtained through advanced computer systems images. PET / CT uses the increased glucose metabolism which is a characteristic of cancerous cells and facilitates the establishment of fast and reliable diagnosis without taking any tissue samples.

PET / CT in metastasis

PET / CT scans can determine whether the disease has spread to other organs or tissues i.e. whether metastases are present. Since the body is examined simultaneously, thanks to the images made by PET / CT, it can also be evaluated whether the cancer has spread to another organ. Therefore, PET / CT is useful in determining the local and distant extents of the disease, for example whether the lung tumor has spread on to other internal organs, adrenal glands or lymph nodes (whether it has metastasized or not), or, in other words, to determine the stage of the disease.

PET / CT in metastasis

PET / CT scans can determine whether the disease has spread to other organs or tissues i.e. whether metastases are present. Since the body is examined simultaneously, thanks to the images made by PET / CT, it can also be evaluated whether the cancer has spread to another organ. Therefore, PET / CT is useful in determining the local and distant extents of the disease, for example whether the lung tumor has spread on to other internal organs, adrenal glands or lymph nodes (whether it has metastasized or not), or, in other words, to determine the stage of the disease.

PET / CT after treatment

Many types of cancer can be cured if early diagnosis is established. For example, 5 year survival rate in patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage is over 80%. PET / CT plays a significant role in tumor diagnosis because it provides detailed information about the tumor. PET allows for analysis of the tissue metabolism, whereupon it could be determined whether the lesion, whose anatomic presence is already determined, is malignant or benign. PET can also be used for monitoring the response of the therapy in malignant diseases. In the case of lymphoma for example, growing lymph nodes can be reduced by treatment, but there are cases where they cannot be completely removed. In many cases, the lymph nodes may remain slightly increased after treatment. When it comes to determining whether the disease is still active in these nodes or has been completely eliminated, the PET / CT is the most important method for monitoring the treatment response. Therefore, PET / CT enables precise determination of the location of the lymph nodes and responds to the question whether the active disease is still present and if it has full response to treatment. With all these features, the PET / CT plays an important role in establishing early and timely diagnosis as well as monitoring the treatment of malignant diseases. Such an approach in the treatment of cancer patients is a priority at "Acibadem Sistina" hospital -  part of the Acibadem Healthcare Group.

Did you know?

• PET / CT detects various types of cancer, heart and neurological diseases. Its application eliminates the need to use additional tests and diagnostic procedures.

• PET / CT is safe.

• Only one PET / CT application replaces a number of different examinations.

• PET / CT shows all the organ systems in only one image.

• PET / CT provides early diagnosis of many diseases, in comparison to other methods.

• PET / CT shows the course of the disease and the response of the body of the completed treatment.

• PET / CT provides important information regarding the planning of treatment.

 

Clinical cases where PET/CT is implemented

• LUNG CANCERS

• LYMPHOMAS

• THYROID CANCERS

• BREAST CANCERS

• PANCREATIC CANCERS

• COLON CANCERS

• MELANOMA

• BRAIN TUMORS

• OTHER AREAS OF APPLICATION