Oncology

PET/CT Imaging for Cancer Care

In oncology, PET/CT can provide valuable information at different stages of cancer care. Depending on the type of cancer, radiopharmaceutical used, and clinical question, it helps physicians assess the extent of disease, support cancer staging, evaluate treatment response, investigate suspected recurrent or persistent disease, and provide information that may contribute to treatment planning.

At Tawam Molecular Imaging Centre (TMIC), specialized radiopharmaceuticals and PET/CT imaging support a range of oncology applications, with the appropriate examination selected according to the patient’s clinical indication.

What Is PET/CT Used for in Oncology?

PET/CT may be requested by your physician to:

Help detect areas of abnormal metabolic activity.

Support the assessment and staging of certain cancers.

Evaluate whether cancer may have spread to other parts of the body.

Assess treatment response.

Help investigate suspected recurrent or persistent disease.

Provide information that may support treatment planning.

The specific role of PET/CT depends on the type of cancer, the radiopharmaceutical used, and the clinical question being investigated. PET/CT findings are interpreted together with the patient’s clinical history and other relevant investigations to provide a more complete picture of the disease.

Oncology PET/CT Studies
PET CT - 18F-FDG - Skull Base to Mid-Thigh
PET CT - 18F-FDG - Skull Base to Mid-Thigh - Head and Neck
PET CT - 18F-FDG - Vertex to Toe
PET CT - 18F-NaF - Bone Scan
PET CT - Gallium-68 PSMA
PET CT - Gallium-68 DOTA
PET CT -18F-Choline
PET CT - 18F-FET
PET CT - 18F-MISO
PET CT - 18F-PSMA
PET CT - 18F-FES
PET CT - Infection / Inflammation Imaging (Oncology)

Oncology PET/CT Studies

PET CT - 18F-FDG - Skull Base to Mid-Thigh

PET CT - 18F-FDG - Skull Base to Mid-Thigh - Head and Neck

PET CT - 18F-FDG - Vertex to Toe

PET CT - 18F-NaF - Bone Scan

PET CT - Gallium-68 PSMA

PET CT - Gallium-68 DOTA

PET CT -18F-Choline

PET CT - 18F-FET

PET CT - 18F-MISO

PET CT - 18F-PSMA

PET CT - 18F-FES

PET CT - Infection / Inflammation Imaging (Oncology)

Radiopharmaceuticals and Oncology Applications

Different radiopharmaceuticals provide information about different biological processes. The tracer used for an examination is selected according to the patient’s clinical indication and the clinical question being investigated.

18F-FDG PET/CT

18F-FDG PET/CT evaluates areas of increased glucose metabolism and is widely used in oncology. It can support the evaluation and staging of various cancers and may also be used to assess response to treatment.

18F-NaF PET/CT

18F-NaF PET/CT provides information about bone-forming activity and may be used in the evaluation of suspected bone involvement.

PSMA PET/CT

68Ga-PSMA and 18F-PSMA PET/CT provide molecular imaging information related to prostate-specific membrane antigen expression and may be used in the assessment of prostate cancer, depending on the clinical indication and tracer selected.

68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT

68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT targets somatostatin receptors and may be used in the evaluation of selected neuroendocrine tumours.

Other Specialized Radiopharmaceuticals

Other radiopharmaceuticals available according to clinical requirements include 18F-Choline, 18F-FES, 18F-FET, 18F-FDOPA, and 18F-MISO, each with specific clinical applications.

Your referring physician and the nuclear medicine team will determine the most appropriate examination based on your medical history and the reason for the scan.

What to Expect

Before your examination, our team will review your clinical information and provide instructions specific to your scan and radiopharmaceutical.

During the examination, the radiopharmaceutical is administered, usually through an intravenous injection. You will then be given time for the tracer to distribute within the body. The exact waiting period depends on the examination being performed.

You will be asked to lie still on the PET/CT scanner while images are acquired. The CT component provides anatomical information, while PET detects the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical and provides information about metabolic or molecular activity.

The imaging process itself is generally straightforward, although the total time at the centre can vary depending on the examination.

Patient Preparation

Preparation requirements vary according to the radiopharmaceutical and type of PET/CT examination.

TMIC team will provide you with specific instructions before your appointment. These may include guidance regarding food and drink, medications, physical activity, and blood glucose levels when required for the examination.

Following the preparation instructions carefully can help ensure that the scan is performed under the appropriate conditions.

If you have diabetes, are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, are breastfeeding, or have any other relevant medical condition, inform the team before your appointment so that appropriate instructions can be provided.

After Your Scan

Once your examination is complete, the imaging team will provide you with any necessary post-scan instructions. In general, patients may return to their usual activities unless they are given specific instructions otherwise. Your images will be reviewed by the appropriate specialist, and the results will be communicated according to the Centre’s reporting process and your referring physician’s requirements.

Oncology PET/CT