What is PET used for?
PET is used to help diagnose and treat a number of different diseases, including cancer, coronary heart disease, and seizure disorders. In cancer applications, PET provides tumor imaging and has proven to be very accurate in identifying the extent of malignant disease.

How accurate is PET?
PET is very accurate in showing the presence or spread of many malignant tumors. For example, it is more accurate in detecting the spread of lung cancer and colon cancer than any other imaging method currently available. A high degree of accuracy has also been demonstrated in evaluating recurrent breast cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, and tumors of the head and neck.

What happens when I arrive for my scan?
When you arrive for your PET scan, you will be registered by our office personnel and taken to the PET area. There, a technologist will ask you a series of questions regarding your medical history. Next, a small blood sample will be taken to check your blood sugar (glucose) level. The technologist will inject a small amount of radioactive glucose into your bloodstream. This glucose is called a “tracer” and will be distributed throughout your body. There is no danger to you from this injection. Radioactive glucose must pass multiple quality control measures before it is used for any patient injection. (In fact, the radiation exposure associated with PET is similar to that of a conventional CT scan).

How does the PET procedure work?
After your injection, you will be asked to relax and remain relatively still for about an hour. Then, you will be asked to lie on a table called a scanning bed. The bed will move slowly through the scanner while it detects the injected tracer. Some people fall asleep during the scan. When the imaging procedure is complete, the scanner sends the resulting information to a computer. The computer generates numerous images that will be reviewed by a specially-trained physician. Your doctor will receive a report and picture detailing the findings of your exam.

How long does the procedure take?
You can expect to be in the PET Center for one-and-a-half to three hours. The actual scan itself takes far less time and depends on the purpose and type of study. In most cases, a body scan from the chin to pelvis area takes about 50-to-60 minutes. Some exams, such as brain or heart procedures, take about 30 minutes to complete.

How will I feel afterwards?
You should feel fine after the scan. There are no side-effects from the injected tracer. If you have a heart scan, you may feel flushed afterwards.

When will I know the results of my scan?
The results of your PET scan are read shortly after the scan is completed. You can expect a verbal report to be available to your physician within two to three days of the scan. Your physician will report the results to you directly.

What should I do to prepare?
Do not eat anything after midnight the night prior to your scan.
Avoid all beverages with caffeine and sugar.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or are a nursing mother.
Tell your doctor if you are diabetic.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Take prescribed medications on the day of your test unless instructed not to do so.
Wear your hearing aid, glasses, or dentures to the PET Imaging Center.
Leave valuables at home.

Special preparation instructions for diabetics.
Fast 12 hours prior to exam time.
Increase your fluid (water) intake.
Make sure you have two glasses of water within two hours of your exam time.
Do not consume any alcohol for at least 48 hours prior to exam time.
Eat a high protein/low carbohydrate meal the evening before your exam.
(This should be your last meal before coming in for your exam).

High protein/low carbohydrate means:
Eat any meat you normally would.
You can have any green vegetable in moderate amounts.
Do not eat anything with sugar in it, even in small quantities.
Do not eat any grain, rice, pasta, bread, or chips of any kind.
Do not consume any dairy products.

If you have any question about your ability to follow the above instructions, please call the PET Imaging Center for further evaluation and clarification at 509-228-1630.

What else should I do?
It is important that your other recent X-Ray studies (such as CT or MRI scans) be available for the PET imaging doctor to compare them directly to your PET scan. The films and reports from these studies may be sent to the PET Imaging Center by your doctor or hospital or you may be asked to bring them with you to prevent delay in reading your PET scan.

Directions to Cancer Care Northwest’s PET Imaging Center.
Our PET Imaging Center is located in the Deaconess Health & Education Center, West 910 5th Avenue, Suite 102. The Deaconess Health & Education Center is across the street from Shriners Children’s Hospital on 5th Avenue. There is a parking garage attached to the building.

Eastbound I-90 Travelers:
Use exit 280-A (Maple Street). Proceed east on 4th Avenue to Monroe Street and turn right onto Monroe. Go one block to 5th Avenue and turn left onto 5th. The entrance to Deaconess Health & Education Center is on the left.

Westbound I-90 Travelers:
Use exit 200-B (Lincoln Street). Get in the far-left lane. Proceed to 2nd Avenue. Turn left onto 2nd and go one block to Monroe Street. Turn left onto Monroe Street and proceed to 5th Avenue. Turn left onto 5th Avenue. The entrance to Deaconess Health & Education Center is on the left.

From City Center:
Take Monroe Street South to 5th Avenue. Turn left onto 5th Avenue. The entrance to Deaconess Health & Education Center is on the left.

Once you have parked in the garage, take the elevator to level C. Go around the corner on the right to Suite 102. If you have any questions, please call the PET Imaging Center at 509-228-1630.