Pandemic Cancer Fighter

Fighting Cancer through a Pandemic.

PET Scan

2020-04-02


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I had my PET scan completed directly after the MRI. The PET scan is a bit boring, but overall less unpleasant than the MRI. Prior to the scan, I received an injection of radioactive glucose. This glucose tends to concentrate in malignant cells because of their high rate of glucose metabolism. Because of this, the scan can search for these areas of high concentration to indicate where there are cancer cells. In my PET scan, I still had the line in from the MRI contrast, so they used that for the injection. The injection itself is pretty wicked. They brought it to the room in a lead box. Out of the lead box, they pulled a syringe with a lead canister around it. After giving the injection, I had to stay still in the room for 30 minutes. During this time, I could listen to podcasts, but they indicated not to use your phone. I believe that if you move around too much, the sugar is absorbed by your muscles as opposed to the cancer cells. After 30 minutes of waiting, I was ready for my scan. The scan itself was similar to the MRI, but more comfortable. I laid on the table that moved me through the scanner over the course of around 20 minutes. Typically, results from a PET scan are available quickly. Often, you are able to visit with the Oncologist immediately after a scan. In my case, I had the meeting with the oncologist scheduled the next day. The final note about the PET scan is the warning agaist being around children for 12 hours post scan. In my case, this just meant isolating myself in the bedroom that evening (I have 2 kids, 4 and 9 at the time). After the onslaught of testing, I was through and ready to review the treatment plan with my oncologist the next day.