Anyone know anything about PET scans?

[trola2]

My mom is having some health problems and although we had a CAT scan scheduled for Thursday, they called yesterday and deicided to do a PET scan instead. (Her health has been deterioratin rapidly for just a few weeks....she can't even walk to the mailbox now....from being fine about a month ago.) We have been given no information about the test and what to expect. From what I read online, they do start an IV and inject something. I'm not real worried about that since she will be in a controlled environment, but what I need to know is what to expect post-test. She's not allowed to eat all day before the test (3PM) so will she be feeling like eating afterward? Does anyone know what to expect?

Thanks...
~~Beth

 

[Robinrs]

My Dad had one two years ago. As usual he had no problems with it and post test he was fine. Hope the same goes for your Mom.

 

[Mercy]

My mom has had CAT and PET scans, my mom has breast cancer that has matastisized (sp?) to her brain and other places in her body (I don't say all that to scare you though).

From what I understand the PET scan is a more detailed in depth type of scan as to the pictures information they can get from it. I think they did it to get a more detailed idea of what was going on with my mom's cancer. Hope that helps. I don't think is just used to detect cancer though so don't get me wrong, they may just need to see more clearly inside her body.

 

[trola2]

Thank you for your replies. Mercy, you didn't scare me, we're pretty much expecting the worst. In 3 weeks time my mom has gone from being active to not being able to pour herself a bowl of corn flakes or walk to the mail box. But teh test is today and then the loooooooooooong wait until they read us the results on Tuesday.

Thanks for your replies and best of luck to you and your family members.

~~Beth

 

[luvwinnie]

Just wanted to wish your mom the best and send some PD your way. Let us know how she is doing. My mother is ill also and I know how stressful it is.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Mercy's right -- a PET scan is used to best determine if there's cancerous cells in the body. A CAT scan will show enlarged areas, but won't show whether or not they're cancerous.

What the PET scan does is inject (likke you said, usually through IV) a sugar-type fluid into the body, wait a while and then scan the body. Cancer feeds off of sugar, so the fluid will be attracted to the cancerous cells, if there are any.

DW's had a number of them -- they're not that bad to do and she shouldn't really feel any after effects from the test (e.g. she should be able and willing to eat).