PET Scan Cost and PET Scan Procedures Information

PET Scan Introduction and Cost Information

PET scans have become very popular because no other imaging technology shows the internal chemistry of the body so well. A PET scan has the unique ability to identify chemical and metabolic changes in diseases such as cancer before anatomic and structural changes which are detected by other imaging technologies have time to develop. Therefore PET can detect diseases when anatomic imaging studies are still normal, and may be informative in differentiating benign from malignant process. This makes PET scans very popular in identifying whether cancer is present or not, if it has spread, if it is responding to treatment, and if a person is cancer free after treatment. Cancers for which PET scans are considered particularly effective include lung, head and neck, colorectal, esophageal, lymphoma, melanoma, breast, thyroid, cervical, pancreatic, and brain as well as other cancers.

Patient Preparation

Most facilities recommend that you do not eat anything 6 hours prior to your PET Scan. Try to reduce the amount of caffeine or sugar you consumer the day prior to your PET Scan. If you are a Diabetic, make sure you get specific instructions regarding your insulin prior to your PET Scan. A good rule of thumb for Insulin Dependent Diabetics is to eat a small meal 4 hours prior to your PET Scan and then take your insulin. For Non-Insulin Diabetics, eat a light meal 4 hours prior to your PET Scan and then take your oral medication. It is important to monitor your glucose levels prior to the PET Scan. Your glucose should be less than 150. If you have had any surgery, biopsies, radiation or chemotherapies 4 to 6 weeks prior to your PET Scan make sure you alert the PET Scan facility. Try to avoid vigorous physical activity 48 hours prior to your PET Scan. Do not take liquid pills the morning of your exam. Other medications may be taken with water. Bring a list of all your medications with you for review by the facility. If your weight exceeds 350 pounds make sure you let the facility performing the PET Scan know because often the PET Scan equipment has size limitations and other accommodations may have to be made.

What to expect during and after a PET Scan Procedure

The overall preparation and PET Scan testing visit will take approximately 2 hours. Wear comfortable cloths. You will not be required to change cloths. Once you arrive at the PET Scan facility you will receive an injection of Radioactive Glucose (FDG). The FDG will take about 45 minutes to properly distribute throughout your body. Prior to the scan you will most likely be asked to empty your bladder. Upon entering the testing room you will be asked to lay down on the scanner bed. It is important that you lay still during the scan. If it is painful to lay flat and still on your back make sure you bring some form of pain medication. Make sure you tell the doctor or technician that you plan to take pain medication prior to having the test performed. If you have claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative.

After your PET Scan, the FDG remnants will still be in your system and it is recommended that you do not come in close contact with small children or pregnant women for 4 hours. It is important to drink plenty of liquids to help flush the FDG out of your system. Your PET Scan will be interpreted by a trained nuclear medicine physician or radiologist and results are typically sent to the referring physician within 24-48 hours.