PET scan questions?

hi just wondering if anyone can answer a few questions for me about PET scans.
1. Can someone be with me while I have the scan?
2. Is there anything I'm not allowed to wear during the scan; nail varnish, jewellery or will they give me something to wear for the scan?
3. How long will it be before I get the results of the scan?
4. Does it matter if I'm on any medication?
5. How many countries use this type of scan and how successful have they been?
6. Will it hurt?
Thanks.

PET scans are used in various specialities in medicine but are most commonly used to see how active certain disease processes are. They actually measure the metabolism of the cells in the body and are able to show up "hot spots". These hot spots are therefore where the fastest metabolism is occurring. Cancer cells multiply very rapidly and have a very high level of metabolism and therefore any cancer deposits in the body would usually show up on a PET scan.

1) Possible that someone could come to the scan with you, but not remain in the room while it was going on, to prevent them receiving a radiation dose.

2) Usually have to wear a gown and remove jewellery. Can't believe makeup or nail polish will make much difference. I'm sure they will let you know if there is a problem.

3) Most scans can be interpreted immediately afterwards if necessary, but depends on what timescale the radiologist is working to. PET scans are not normally needed for urgent reporting, so it may take a day or two to find out.

4) Medications are unlikely to affect the scan. The most important thing is that you are not allowed to eat anything for at least 6 hrs before the scan. PET scans rely on the uptake of a specially labelled sugar being injected into the body, and the scan measures how much of the labelled suger is taken up by diffferent parts of the body. (diabetics would therefore do well to find out about when to take their usual medications)

5) PET scanners, as you may have guessed, are extremely expensive -about GBP 4 million- so are usually only found in specialist centres or research departments, but they are very useful in staging and gathering information about cancer spread, which is the reason for most scans. They are only usually available in developed countries because of the cost to set them up.

6) No, it won't hurt. The only thing that might be slightly painful is when you have a canula needle put into your arm that allows an injection of the sugar solution.

I'm not sure what a PET scan is. I have had a CT scan and an MRI scan and no they don't hurt. Yes you can have someone with you. I think you may have to remove jewellery and they will give you a gown. I think my results took a couple of days and no it doesn't matter if you are on medication. I am sure a PET scan can't be any different.

No it won't hurt, and the scan itself (excluding the preamble) tends to be quite quick. See: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/netscape/he...

1. Depends on the facility. Usually no.
2. No jewelry. Normal street clothes are ok.
3. Result usually within a couple of days.
4. Medication doesn't matter.
5. How many countries? Who cares? It's the latest technology.
6. Nope.

6. it does not hurt. like x rays, you won't feel it.
5. no idea, but they are very commonly used in the US
4. no, medications won't change it...but you will probably be filling out a questionaire to list them, so make sure you know the names and dosages.
3. depends on if your doctor is reviewing them, or they are being sent out...you can ask your doctor this ahead of time- just call and ask anything you don't understand, it is your right, and makes the tests go better.
2. no metal, so no bras, studs, jewelry, and you sometimes can just wear your own clothes- joggin suit etc. or they have those lovely gowns. they will offer a pillow and sometimes a blanket for cat scans, so they probably do for pet scans. if you are not comfortable, you tell the tech and they will make sure you are so that you can lay still.
1. There will be a tech with you, and some people bring in a radio, or music to listen to while they lay there. I counted ceiling tiles (somebody should put posters up there). you can ask if you can have someone come in...I did go in with my daughter, but she was about 4 years old at the time...and wouldn't have done it without me. My scan guy was great because he actually has to be sedated to have those tests, so he was really understanding.
anyway, you can call the hospital or the doctor to ask these questions again and then you will know. an informed patient is a much better patient for them, and you will feel more comfortable as well. Very good luck with the outcome of your tests.

The name "PET" comes from Positron Emission Tomography. It is a new scanning technique in medical research. PET allows us, for the first time, to measure in detail the functioning of distinct areas of the human brain while the patient is comfortable, conscious and alert. We can now study the chemical process involved in the working of healthy or diseased human brains in a way previously impossible.

PET represents a new step forward in the way scientists and doctors look at the brain and how it functions. An X-ray or a CT scan shows only structural details within the brain. The PET scanner gives us a picture of the brain at work.
It is totally painless. I hope this helps.
Best wishes and good luck