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Results of a Head and Neck Cancer 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 an organ 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.
In head and neck cancer PET/CT is extremely useful in staging how far the tumor
has developed and whether or not it has spread beyond the start site. Earlier
stage may be curable; however, in most cases cancer that has spread to other
organs is incurable.
CT scanning looks at the size of the tumour and PET is determines if cancerous
cells are alive in that area.
PET is also excellent in helping determine whether all cancer has been removed
and looking for re-occurring cancers.
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