PET Scan: Cost, Purpose, Benefits and Side Effects

A positron emission tomography (PET) Scan is one of the best imaging tests for detecting several diseases in a body. Here an individual needs to know the use of PET scans on certain body parts. Moving on, doctors can use the reports of PET scans for proceeding with treatment. But, a person need not ignore the side effects caused by radioactive tracers. Following that, an individual should also know about PET scans for their help. 

Here, a reader can go through this article to know more about the benefits of PET scans in detecting several diseases. Moreover, an individual may come across costs of PET scans in different Delhi hospitals. 

What is the main purpose of PET scans?

One’s doctor may recommend going for PET Scan to check the metabolism of the organs as well as tissues. An individual’s blood flow, oxygen intake, and the possibility of having complex diseases can be traced. Moving on, a doctor aims at looking for multiple disorders through PET Scan.

Few diseases that can be detected through PET Scan may include:

• Heart Problems

PET Scans can become very effective in looking for areas with decreased blood flow concerning the heart. Here, one’s healthy heart tissues may take more tracer as compared to unhealthy ones. Besides that, doctors may look into different colors as well as brightness on the scan for understanding tissue function. Later on, one’s doctor may proceed with treatment accordingly. 

• Brain Disorders

One should know that a PET Scan of the brain is done by attaching glucose to it. Here, one’s brain uses radioactive glucose for showing areas in the brain that used glucose at higher rates. Furthermore, a doctor may look into the scan for checking for any kind of irregularities. Besides that, an individual may use a PET scan for managing CNS disorders. 

• Cancer

An individual needs to understand that cancer cells can have higher metabolic rates as compared to noncancerous cells. Following that, one’s high chemical activity may make cancer cells show as bright spots. Moving on, a doctor may check the spread of cancer cells through this means.

Besides that, an individual can know about cancer recurrence as well. Eventually, a cancer specialist may cross-check if chemotherapy is working or not through this. 

What risks does PET Scan carry?

People may know that the usage of radioactive tracers in PET scans can be harmful. But, one should understand that a very low amount of radiation is used in PET scans. Following that, a person may undergo negligible risk from PET scans as compared to other tests. 

Few risks that are associated with PET Scan may include the following:

• Risk for Pregnant woman

A pregnant woman should realize that radiation won’t be good for developing fetuses. In case, a woman predicts getting pregnant then avoiding PET Scan can be a better option. 

• People having allergies and other health conditions

An individual may end up having an allergic reaction to the tracer at a certain point in time. Here, a person who has an allergy to iodine or saccharin must let the doctors know about it. Eventually, people suffering from conditions like kidney disease, dehydration, and asthma can have an allergy to this tracer. 

• Other Risks

One’s use of PET Scan may include discomfort if you are having a problem with needles or is claustrophobic. Moreover, a person’s usage of a PET scan can lead to bleeding, bruising, or swelling. 

What are the benefits of having a PET scan?

Well, people should accept the fact that PET scan has proven benefits in detecting complex diseases. Besides that, an individual’s advantages from this diagnostic test can be immense. 

So, one’s benefits of a PET scan may include the following:

• A person’s clarity from PET Scan gets doubled up. 
• An individual may take about half an hour for its completion. 
• Doctors find it quite disruptive as well as easy.
• This painless procedure measures both anatomies as well as the metabolism of a patient’s body. 

Additionally, a cancer specialist can determine if cancer has returned or not with the help of a PET Scan. Here, an individual needs to go through several diagnostic tests as well as a physical exam. 

What is the cost of a PET Scan in Delhi?

Usually, one’s PET Scan cost in Delhi may start somewhere around Rs.10,000. An individual should note that the charges of PET scans may extend up to Rs.35,000 as well. Here, a person’s cost estimates may vary depending upon the body scan, equipment used, and other related factors.  But, an individual need to know the use of a PET Scan for determining severe conditions. 

What are the other diagnostic tests used for cancer?

Doctors may recommend that cancer patients have a series of diagnostic tests for cancer detection. Besides that, a cancer doctor looks into signs and symptoms before ordering diagnostic tests. 

Few diagnostic tests used for cancer detection may include the following:

• Biopsy

People need to understand that biopsy is a definitive way of diagnosing cancer. Here, doctors look at cancer cells in the laboratory under a microscope. Following that, one’s normal cells may look uniform with similar sizes as well as orderly organization. But, a person’s cancer cells seem to be less orderly as compared to normal ones. 

• MRI Scan

Cancer patients need to know that MRI scans can become quite effective in determining certain kinds of cancer. In general, doctors may use MRI with contrast dye for looking into brain tumors. Moreover, doctors can confirm whether the tumor is cancerous or not with MRI Scan. 

• Ultrasound

One should understand that shapes, as well as the density of ultrasound echoes, vary differently after examining tissues. Following that, a person’s sound waves may echo differently while examining fluid-filled cysts as well as solid masses. Later on, a doctor may check tumors’ cancerous nature by performing an ultrasound. 

Also Read: Can ultrasound detect cancer?

• CT Scan

A cancer doctor can check the tumor’s shape, size as well as location with the help of a CT Scan. Moving on, an individual’s blood vessels feeding the tumor can also is determined with this test. Eventually, doctors use CT Scan for guiding a needle for removing a small piece of tissue. 

• X-Ray

Doctors can diagnose whether cells are cancerous or not with the help of an X-ray. Following that, one’s mammogram uses an X-ray for looking into suspicious portions of the breast. 

Therefore, people may go through multiple diagnostic tests to confirm cancer’s existence. Furthermore, a doctor may also go for a blood test to check for irregularities. 

Also Check: Do XRays Cause Cancer?

What are the best treatment options for cancer?

People should know that there are several treatment options available to treat cancer. But, a doctor needs to check cancer’s type, size as well as location before choosing the same. Eventually, a cancer specialist checks the patient’s tolerance to that particular treatment option.

Certain best treatment options for cancer may include the following:

• Chemotherapy

A cancer doctor inserts chemo drugs into the veins for destroying cancer cells effectively. Here, one’s genes in the nucleus of the cell are damaged in a definite way. 

• Surgery

Cancer specialists may go for surgical intervention to attain cancer cells that are contained in a single area. Eventually, a person may go for surgery in the early stage of cancer.

• Radiation Therapy

Doctors can administer high-powered radiation beams for destroying cancer cells. But, a person may have severe side effects from undergoing this cancer treatment. 

Also Read: Pros and Cons of Radiation Therapy for Cancer

Conclusion:

People must realize that PET Scan is quite effective in knowing cancer’s nature. Following that, an individual must know the benefits of this diagnostic test as well. 

Cancer-related popular searches: 

What level of eosinophils indicate cancer?

Can Mold Cause Cancer?

What is tnm staging of Oral Cancer? 

Biopsy Meaning in Cancer Treatment 

Exercises for Cancer Patients?

What is the ESR level in Cancer?

Can Stage 4 Cancer be Cured?

Can Ultrasound Detect Cancer?