PET/CT

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are essential imaging tools the Arizona Center for Cancer Care uses to reveal the presence and severity of cancer. The state-of-the-art cancer center has offices across Arizona, including in Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Sun City West, Goodyear, and Tempe. For expert cancer care from a practice with the best technology, call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today.

Three convenient PET/CT locations:

What is PET/CT?

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are imaging tests the Arizona Center for Cancer Care uses to diagnose and stage some types of cancer.

PET is a nuclear medicine imaging scan that uses radioactive tracers to evaluate cellular activity. The radioactive tracer contains a sugar that your cells absorb. Because cancer cells grow fast, many cancer types take up a lot more of the tracer than normal cells, allowing them to be clearly distinguished on a scan. 

In conjunction with the PET, a CT is performed. The CT scan is an X-ray that takes multiple pictures of your internal organs at varying angles. A computer then overlays the PET images with the CT images, allowing for a detailed image of the cancer’s activity. 

Arizona Center for Cancer Care performs PET/CT scans for some tumor types to detect cancer and evaluate the extent of the disease to aid in determining the most appropriate treatment. For some tumors, specialists also perform follow-up PET-CT scans to assess the effectiveness of your treatment.

What can I do to get ready for my PET/CT scan?

Arizona Center for Cancer Care gives you specific instructions on what you need to do to get ready for your PET/CT scan. The staff may ask you to come to the office in comfortable clothing and leave valuables at home. 

You also need to stop eating and drinking several hours before the test. Eating alters the effectiveness of the radioactive tracer and the results of your scan.

What happens during PET/CT imaging?

After you change into an exam gown, your provider at Arizona Center for Cancer Care gives you an intravenous (IV) injection of the radioactive glucose tracer. It takes 30-60 minutes for the tracer to travel to all the cells in your body.

Then, you lie on the scanning table, and the technician starts the CT scan, which takes about two minutes. Then, you move onto the PET scan, which takes up to 30 minutes. You must remain as still as possible during your scans.

Arizona Center for Cancer Care does a whole-body PET/CT scan. 

What happens after my PET/CT scan?

Arizona Center for Cancer Care examines the images from your PET/CT scan to provide further details about your cancer. 

Based on this information, your oncologist develops your treatment plan, which may include:

• Surgery
• Radiation oncology
• Medical oncology (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy)
• Combination therapy

To find out more about PET/CT imaging at Arizona Center for Cancer Care, call the nearest office or schedule a consultation online today.