Pet Scan

I am having a pet scan scan next  week can anyone tell me what kind of machine they use. Is it a enclosed machine. I am kind of claustrophobic

Good Morning Geri,
Yes a pet-scan is a tube like machine. Seems like your closed in tight. However they do have stand up ones now for those that dont like that "closed in feeling" Good luck to you. I have been told though that a "pet-scan" doesnt show the rencel cell diease as well as a regular ct-scan.
Wendy

Hi Geri,

I have had multiple CT and PET scans and in my experience they are done on the same machine (two passes with different contrast). It is kind of a donut shaped affair and most of my body is out of the enclosed area. I actually find the scan quite relaxing---hopefully you will too (try to think of a pleasant activity far, far away and before you know it the test will be all done). I'm also glad that you are getting a PET scan vs. a CT scan. My doctor actually prefers the PET scan over the CT scan. Here's how he explained it to me. A CT scan is very good at showing the mass itself and the size but a PET scan will show the metabolic activity of the tumor itself. Meaning whether the tumor is alive or dead. If you have been on Sutent (as I was) this difference is real important since the tumor mass can still show up on a CT scan but be dead (as was the case with me). Eventually the body will absorb the dead tumor (as it did with me). Not all docotors are fimiliar with reading a PET scan or have them available so you are very lucky (as was I). If I can answer additional questions please don't hesitate to ask and good luck with your PET scan.

Bunker

Thank you very much for the information . My Dr. tells me I am having a Pet/Cat scan . I will just have to get though like so many of the unpleasant aspects of this disease.

 

On 11/7/2007 Geri28 wrote:

I am having a pet scan scan next  week can anyone tell me what kind of machine they use. Is it a enclosed machine. I am kind of claustrophobic

 

no big deal it is the easyst thing  and not clostrafobic

no pain no side efffects what so ever and no after effects

 

john de mello