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.