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Treatment Pathway: PET-CT (GE Discovery) at Onco-Life

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  • Treatment Pathway: PET-CT (GE Discovery) at Onco-Life

A PET-CT is a powerful imaging test that helps doctors understand where cancer is, how active it is, and how well treatment is working. Patients often worry: “Will it hurt?”, “Will it show the full truth?”, “How long will it take?” This page explains the PET-CT journey at Onco-Life in a simple, step-by-step format.

We use the same 6-step pathway structure so patients can follow it easily.

Important: PET-CT is not always required for every cancer. Your doctor decides if it is the right test for your situation.

At a glance: PET-CT in 6 steps

  1. Consultation (referral/booking)
  2. Diagnosis & staging context (why PET-CT is needed)
  3. Tumour Board plan (how PET-CT fits into decisions)
  4. Scan day (preparation → injection → scanning)
  5. Monitoring (safety + report preparation)
  6. Recovery & follow-up (results discussion + next steps)

Consultation / Referral (Booking your PET-CT)

What happens

  • PET-CT is typically done after a doctor advises it (oncologist/surgeon/physician).
  • Our team confirms:
    • your clinical question (staging, response assessment, recurrence suspicion, etc.)
    • your diagnosis (if available)
    • any special conditions: diabetes, pregnancy possibility, kidney issues, recent infections, recent surgery, or recent chemo/radiation.
  • You receive clear instructions about preparation and reporting timelines.

What to bring

  • Doctor referral note (if available)
  • Biopsy/histopathology report (if available)
  • Prior imaging reports (CT/MRI/PET-CT) + CDs/cloud if you have them
  • List of current medicines (especially diabetes medicines/insulin)
  • Recent blood sugar readings if you are diabetic

Typical timelines (safe range)

  • Appointment/slot availability: same day to 3 days (varies by centre and demand)

Diagnosis & staging context (Why PET-CT is being done)

PET-CT is usually advised for one of these reasons:

A) Initial staging (first diagnosis)

To check:

  • extent of disease,
  • lymph node involvement,
  • and possible spread to other organs.

B) Treatment response assessment

To see how well chemo/radiation/targeted therapy is working.

C) Suspected recurrence

If symptoms or other tests suggest cancer might have returned.

D) Clarifying unclear findings

Sometimes CT/MRI shows something “uncertain.” PET-CT can help clarify activity.

Important note for patients:

PET-CT is excellent, but not perfect. Some infections/inflammation can also show activity. That’s why doctors interpret PET-CT along with your full history and biopsy.

Typical timelines (safe range)

Document verification + preparation guidance: same day to 2 days

Tumour Board plan (How PET-CT results guide treatment)

Many treatment decisions become clearer after PET-CT, such as:

  • whether surgery is feasible,
  • radiation target fields,
  • whether chemo is needed first,
  • whether disease is localized or more widespread,
  • whether a suspicious area needs biopsy.

If your case is discussed in a Tumour Board, PET-CT often becomes a “map” that helps the team align on the safest and most effective next step.

Typical timelines (safe range)

  • PET-CT may be scheduled before Tumour Board or requested after it.
  • When needed urgently, teams often prefer PET-CT early in the planning window.

Treatment start (Scan day: Preparation → Injection → Scan)

PET-CT is usually painless. Most of the time is waiting, not scanning.

Step 4A: Preparation before the scan (very important)

You may be advised:

  • Fasting for a specific number of hours (commonly 4–6 hours; follow your centre’s instructions)
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before (it can affect uptake patterns)
  • Drink plain water as allowed (usually encouraged)
  • Wear comfortable clothing (avoid heavy metal accessories)

If you are diabetic

Your prep is customized because blood sugar levels affect image quality.

  • You may need a special appointment timing (often morning)
  • You may be guided about insulin/tablet timing on scan day
  • Blood sugar is typically checked before tracer injection

If sugar is very high, the scan may be postponed for image quality and safety. This is for accuracy—not inconvenience.

Step 4B: Injection of tracer (FDG) + resting period

  • A small injection is given (like a regular IV injection).
  • Then you rest quietly (usually around 45–60 minutes).
    This helps proper distribution of tracer and improves image quality.
  • You are advised to stay calm, avoid walking too much, and avoid phone calls/stressful activity during the uptake period.

Step 4C: The scan itself

  • You lie on the scanner table.
  • Scanning takes a limited time (varies by protocol).
  • The process is painless. You will need to stay still.

Typical timelines (safe ranges)

  • Total time at centre (arrival → completion): 2 to 4 hours
  • Scan time itself: often 20 to 45 minutes (varies)

Monitoring (Safety + report preparation)

Immediate safety monitoring

Most patients feel normal after PET-CT. Some practical notes:

  • If you had an IV line, it may be removed after the scan.
  • If you feel dizzy/weak (rare), inform staff.

Radiation safety (simple guidance)

The tracer radioactivity reduces naturally over time. Patients are usually advised:

  • drink fluids after the scan
  • pass urine frequently
  • maintain basic hygiene

Special advice may be given for:

  • pregnant women (PET-CT is usually avoided unless strongly indicated)
  • breastfeeding mothers (may need temporary pause as per medical guidance)

Report creation

Nuclear medicine specialists/radiologists review:

  • uptake patterns,
  • organ findings,
  • lymph nodes,
  • and correlation with CT appearance.

Typical timelines (safe range)

  • PET-CT report availability: 24 to 72 hours
    (Complex cases or comparisons with older scans may take longer.)

Recovery & follow-up (Understanding results + next steps)

What happens next

  • You review PET-CT results with your treating doctor (oncologist/surgeon/radiation oncologist).
  • The doctor explains:
    • what the findings mean for stage or treatment response,
    • whether biopsy is needed for any uncertain area,
    • what the next treatment step is.

A very important patient-friendly note

PET-CT results should be understood in context:

  • Increased uptake does not always mean cancer (infection/inflammation can also show uptake).
  • Low uptake does not always mean “nothing is there” (some tumor types are less FDG-avid).
    Your doctor will interpret with your biopsy and clinical picture.

Typical timelines (safe range)

  • Doctor review after report: 1 to 7 days (depends on appointment scheduling and urgency)

When to go to Casualty after PET-CT (rare, but important)

PET-CT is generally safe. Go to Casualty if you experience:

  • severe allergic reaction signs (very rare): swelling of face/lips, breathing difficulty
  • fainting with persistent weakness
  • severe vomiting or chest discomfort (rare, but don’t ignore)

Most patients do not face these issues.

“Typical timeline” summary (safe ranges, no promises)

  • Step 1 (Referral/booking): 0–3 days
  • Step 2 (Prep instructions + verification): 0–2 days
  • Step 3 (Used for Tumour Board planning): as needed
  • Step 4 (Scan day duration): 2–4 hours
  • Step 5 (Report readiness): 24–72 hours
  • Step 6 (Doctor discussion + next step): 1–7 days

Patient reassurance

PET-CT is one of the most helpful tests for cancer planning—but it’s still just one part of your story. The most accurate plan comes when PET-CT is interpreted along with:

  • biopsy/IHC,
  • your symptoms and examination,
  • and your treatment history.

If you feel anxious about the result, don’t interpret it alone. Schedule a result-discussion visit so your doctor can explain clearly.

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