Positron Emission Tomography Scan

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 many body areas including the head, brain, neck, chest and abdomen. Before a PET scan, a small amount of radiation, called tracer, is put into your body. The tracer shows how chemicals, such as glucose, are working in your tissues. A PET scan may be done alone, or together with a computed tomography (CT) scan.
  
  
• If you have cancer, the scan may show the cancer stage, or if and where it has spread. The results of the scan can help you and your caregiver plan your treatment. The test may show an abnormal growth in your body, such as a tumor. If you have chest pain or trouble breathing, the scan may show what is causing your symptoms. A PET scan, with or without a CT scan can show swelling, infection, or disease in your chest, lungs or abdomen. The scan may show heart damage caused by a heart attack or heart disease. You may need a PET scan, with or without a CT scan, if you have tremors (shaking), or memory problems. A problem or disease, such as Parkinson or Alzheimer disease, may be found with this test. If you have seizures that medicine cannot control, your caregiver may order a PET scan of your head to see if surgery on your brain could stop them.

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 the body 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 with your head, neck, chest, lungs, or abdomen, 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.

Getting Ready

Before your test:

• Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine. If you have diabetes, ask your caregiver if you should stop taking any of your medicine.
  
  
• Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your caregiver. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your caregiver if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
  
  
• If you are female, tell your caregiver if you know or think you might be pregnant. Tell your caregiver if you are breastfeeding.

The night before your test:

• You may need to stop eating or drinking for 4 to 6 hours before your PET scan. Ask caregivers about eating and drinking before your test.
  
  
• You may be having a myocardial perfusion PET scan to check the blood flow in your heart. Before this test, you cannot have drinks with alcohol for at least 12 hours before your scan. Drinks with alcohol include beer, wine, and whiskey. You also may not smoke for at least 12 hours before the scan.

The day of your test:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your PET scan.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives caregivers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
  
  
• Caregivers will collect a blood sample from you before your PET scan. Blood may be taken from your fingertip, or a vein (blood vessel) in your hand or arm. The amount of sugar in your blood will be tested.
  
  
• Caregivers will put an intravenous (IV) tube into your vein. An IV is a tube that is used to give you medicine or liquids. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. You will be given tracer through the IV.

Treatment

What will happen:

• You may be asked to urinate before the test. Tracer will be put in your IV. You will remain still for about an hour as the tracer moves through your body. Tell caregivers if you need to move during this time. Caregivers may give you medicines through your IV to help you feel calm and relaxed. You will lie on your back on a table attached to the PET scan machine. When the PET scan begins, the table will move through a large round hole in the middle of the machine.
  
  
• You will need to lie still. Caregivers may ask you not to speak or move, however, you may be asked to change positions during the test. A camera will take pictures of your head, neck, chest or abdomen. Caregivers will see these pictures on a computer. When the PET scan is over, the table will move out of the machine.

After your test:

Do not get off the table until caregivers say it is okay. When caregivers see 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 breast feed right after the test. Talk to caregivers about breastfeeding after your test.

Contact a caregiver if

• You cannot make it to your PET scan.
  
  
• You have diabetes and your blood sugar is high on the day before, or morning of the test.
  
  
• Your symptoms are getting worse.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You faint (pass out), or you have a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• You have trouble breathing, or you are coughing up blood.
  
  
• You have chest pain or discomfort that spreads to your arms, jaw, or back, or new and sudden back pain.
  
  
• You feel sick to your stomach, or you are sweating for no reason.
  
  
• Your lips or nailbeds turn blue or white in color.
  
  
• You have headaches or dizziness.
  
  
• Your arm, leg, or face feels numb or weak. This may happen on only one side of your body.
  
  
• You are confused, or are having trouble speaking or understanding others.
  
  
• You suddenly cannot see out of one or both of your eyes.

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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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