Positron Emission Tomography Of The Chest

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A positron emission tomography scan is also called a PET scan. You may have a PET scan to take pictures of body areas, such as your chest. Before a PET scan, a small amount of radiation, called tracer, is put into your body. The tracer shows caregivers how chemicals, such as glucose, are working in your tissues. A PET scan of your chest also may show blood flow through your heart. A PET scan may be done alone, or together with a computed tomography (CT) scan or a stress test. Ask your caregiver for more information about other tests that you may need with a PET scan.
  
  
• If you have cancer, a PET scan with a CT scan may show if it has spread to your chest or lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes are glands (lumps of tissue) that help fight infection. You may need a PET scan, with or without a CT scan, if you have chest pain or trouble breathing. The scan may show what is causing your symptoms. The scan can show swelling, infection, or disease in your chest, lungs, or esophagus. It may also show if your heart is damaged from heart disease, or after a heart attack. The scan may find a tumor (growth) in your chest or lung. The results of the scan can help you and your caregiver plan your treatment.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Small growths in your chest, lungs, or esophagus may not be found with a PET scan. If the results are unclear, you may need another PET scan. There is a small chance that the radiation from the scan increases your risk of getting cancer. If you are female and are pregnant or breastfeeding, a PET scan may harm your baby.
  
  
• Without a PET scan, problems in your chest, lungs, or esophagus may not be found. If a problem is not found, you may not get the treatment you need. Without treatment, your medical problem could get worse, and you may die. Talk with your caregiver if you have questions about your PET scan, condition, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your test:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell your caregiver if you know or think you might be pregnant, or you are breastfeeding.
  
  
• Blood tests: Your caregiver will check how much sugar is in your blood. A blood sample may be taken from a fingertip, or a vein (blood vessel) in your hand or arm.
  
  
• IV: An intravenous (IV) tube is used to give you medicine or liquids. Caregivers will insert an IV into one of your veins.
  
  
• Medicine:
  
  
  • Sedative: This medicine is given to help you stay calm and relaxed.
    
    
  • Muscle relaxers: This is medicine to help your muscles relax.
    
    
  • Radiation (tracer): Caregivers put tracer in your IV. You must lie still for about an hour as the tracer moves through your body. Tell caregivers if you need to move during this time.
  
  
• Medicine stress test: Caregivers may give you a stress test with your PET scan. For this test, you are given medicine in your IV to open arteries (blood vessels) in your heart, and increase your heart rate. You will need an electrocardiogram (EKG). For an EKG, sticky pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. Each sticky pad has a wire that is hooked to a machine or TV-type screen. Ask your caregiver for more information about stress tests and EKGs.

During your test:

Caregivers may ask you to urinate before your test. Caregivers help you lie down on a table that is attached to the PET scan machine. The table moves through a large round hole in the middle of the machine. A camera takes pictures of your chest. You will need to lie very still, but caregivers may ask you to change your body position during the test. Caregivers see the pictures on a computer. When the PET scan is over, the table moves out of the machine.

After your test:

Do not get up from the table until caregivers tell you to. When caregivers see that you are okay, you may be able to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken to your room. If you are female and you are breastfeeding, do not breastfeed right after the test. Talk to your caregiver about breastfeeding after your test.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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