PET scan

[No1 Babe]

What exactly does this scan involve? My best friends partner has been asked to attend hospital for one of these . I'm worried for him, I've only ever heard of this scan to grade a cancer diagnosis , obviously i didn't dwell on it with my bestie but a chill ran through me and I can't help but think the worst . Please re assure me and tell me it can be used for other purposes.

[Guest]

You are correct it is a common tool for cancer identification/ staging, but that isn't its only purpose. It can be used to help look at a range of diseases, or to help exclude them.

Not a very precise answer I am afraid sorry. But the bottom line is yes, it does other things too.

[leahamy]

Yes, I had a PET scan 4.5 years ago, it's basically a CT scan but they inject radioactive liquid into you before the scan. It provides a better, clearer picture for them. I had a shadow on my lung and was told it was to try to exclude certain things, including Cancer although, nobody would ever actually say the word. Mine turned out to be a Carcinoid Tumour in the lower lobe of my left lung. I had surgery in January 2013 to remove the tumour and the lobe of the lung so, now have 4 lobes (3 on the right & 1 on the left). Fortunately, my tumour was benign but it was a worrying time and could have been worse. The thing is to keep a positive view with your bestie & partner and think along the lines of excluding rather than diagnosing - obviously they are closely linked though. I wish them all the best & hope it is a good outcome.

[No1 Babe]

thanks for the feedback guys, I will keep you all posted.

[marypoppins38]

My ds had one many years ago following a kidney infection. It was just to check that there had been no damage to the kidney and everything was working as it should. All was fine thankfully. Hope your friends partner is ok xx