PET Scan, Whole Body Scan - Overview & Techniques

Archer Radiology offers a full body scan using positiron emission tomography (PET).

The most common use of the whole body PET scan is to diagnose cancer or help decide on cancer treatment. The scan will indicate whether a mass is likely to be cancerous or has spread to other parts of the body. PET is generally used in tandem with CT scanning. The PET scan detects the lesion or tumor, and the CT scan pinpoints its location and extent more precisely.

A whole body PET scan is performed to survey the entire body for sites of cancer cells. The operation of the scanner is continuous, and the imaging will generally extend from the head to the thigh. It is essential that the patient remain as still as possible to insure a clear picture.

A physician may order a PET scan if there is cause to suspect a melanoma has spread to other parts of the body. The full body picture will reveal the entire spread of the cancerous cells and will indicate whether and where surgery will be required. PET will also show the physician whether the course of treatment undergone has been successful at eradicating the cancer.

PET Scan, Whole Body Scan - Alternative Names & Explanations

• PET scan, whole body bone scan
• Whole body bone PET scan
• Metastatic bone cancer scan
• Scan of metastatic cancer to the bone
• Whole body PET/CT scan
• Full body PET scan
• Whole body FDG-PET
• Whole body imaging with PET/CT
• Nuclear medicine whole body bone scan

PET Scan, Whole Body Scan - Benefits

• Assisting physicians in determining the best method for treatment
• Preventing unnecessary surgery
• Determining the effectiveness of cancer treatment
• Detecting recurrent cancer
• Pinpointing the source of cancer

Whole Body PET Scan - Images

Whole Body PET Scan - Common Indications & Positive Findings

• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer and bone metastases
• Prostate cancer
• Lymphoma
• Lung cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Nonspecific bone marrow response to chemotherapy
• Focal urinary FDG activity in kidney

Whole Body PET Scan - References & Links

• http://anaheimctpet.com/bonescans.html
• Comparison of whole-body FDG-PET to bone scan for detection of bone metastases in patients with a new diagnosis of lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2004 44:3 317-325.
  Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy and agreement of whole-body positron-emission tomography (PET) scan to bone scintigraphy for the detection of bony metastases in staging patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer. The tumor registry and nuclear medicine database at our institution were queried and identified all patients between July 1998 and August 2002 with a new diagnosis of lung cancer, a whole-body 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro--glucose (FDG)-PET scan, and a bone scan prior to therapy. All of these patients’ radiologic reports were then retrospectively reviewed, and confirmation of bone metastases was determined by consideration of all available clinical information. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for each study were then calculated. Two hundred and fifty-seven patients fulfilled the entrance criteria. One hundred and four patients (40%) presented with stage IV disease, and bone metastases were confirmed in 57 (22%) patients. The accuracies of PET and bone scan were 94 and 85% (P<0.05), sensitivity values were 91 and 75%, and specificity values were 96 and 95%, respectively. The weighted-kappa statistic suggested moderate agreement between the two modalities (, 95% CI, 0.402–0.618). The use of both whole-body PET and bone scintigraphy as initial staging studies in lung cancer patients provides redundant information about the presence of bony metastases. The improvement in accuracy and sensitivity with PET suggests bone scan can be eliminated from the staging evaluation at presentation. Due to its retrospective nature, the results of this study are subject to several forms of bias including selection bias, verification bias, test review bias, and incorporation bias. A prospective trial with appropriate verification of bony metastases is suggested to confirm the results.
• Effect of Whole-Body 18F-FDG PET Imaging on Clinical Staging and Management of Patients with Malignant Lymphoma. Journal of Nuclear Medicine Vol. 42 No. 8 1139-1143.
  Abstract:  Correct staging is important in selecting the appropriate treatment for lymphoma patients. PET imaging with 18F-FDG is useful for staging of lymphoma as well as for monitoring of therapy. However, to our knowledge, the clinical impact of PET on staging and management of lymphoma patients has not been reported. Methods: Standardized questionnaires were mailed to referring physicians asking them whether and how the results of PET imaging had influenced clinical staging and management of the disease in their patients. Management changes, when present, were classified as intermodality (e.g., medical to surgical, surgical to radiation, medical to no treatment) or intramodality (e.g., altered medical, surgical, or radiotherapy approach). Results: The referring physicians returned 52 of 108 questionnaires (48.1%). Physicians indicated that PET led to a change in the clinical stage in 44% of patients: 21% were upstaged and 23% were downstaged. Findings of the PET examination resulted in intermodality changes in management in 42% of patients, in intramodality changes in 10%, and in a combination of the management changes in 10%. Other, not further specified, treatment changes were reported in 6% of patients. PET did not result in any management changes in only 32% of patients. Conclusion: This survey-based study of referring physicians indicates that FDG PET has a major impact on the management of lymphoma patients, contributing to changes in clinical stage in 44% and changes in treatment in >60% of cases.  

• If you are looking for professional radiology services at your imaging site/center, call us at 1-800-626-8315  or use our contact form and contact us for a consultation. 

• If you live in Los Angeles Mid-Wilshire, Beverly Hills, or Glendale and need to schedule a radiology examination such as a MRI, CT Scan, Ultrasound, X ray, or PET scan, contact us to schedule an appointment. 

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• PET scan, whole body bone scan, whole body bone PET scan
• PET scan - Whole body bone scan informational page. Los Angeles radiology. Schedule a PET scan whole body bone scan in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, or Glendale.
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