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Results of a Brain Tumour PET/CT Exam
PET/CT use a small amount of a radioactive drug, which is normally FDG: a tracer
in combination with a compound such as glucose. Once injected the FDG tracer
travels through the body.
FDG emits signals as it travels and eventually collects in the organs targeted
for examination. If an area in the brain is cancerous, the signals will be stronger
(as shown on the images) since more glucose will be absorbed in those areas.
Your physician or surgeon will pick up theses stronger images.
PET/CT is an excellent non-invasive technique to diagnose brain tumours. CT
scanning can build up a very accurate picture of the internal structure of the
brain and highlight a mass that maybe cancerous. PET scanning is able to provide
biochemical information on whether the mass is cancerous and also provide information
on the level of cancer growth and its aggressiveness (how fast the cancer is
growing), which is needed to determine the best for of treatment.
PET/CT can aid Neurosurgeons by assessing the blood flow and the metabolism
of the brain as they prepare to remove a tumor and prescribe any post-surgery
therapy.
PET-CT can accurately map and locate a tumour allows the physician to see where
the tumor is still alive or where it is growing. The higher the uptake of FDG
the faster the cancer is growing. This information can help to determine whether
a course of therapy is effective, allowing radiation oncologists to pinpoint
radiation therapy more accurately.
PET/CT is also useful post-operatively helping to determine if all of the cancer
has been removed and if a cancer has re-occurred.
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