The most important benefit of PET/CT technology is the increased potential for detecting and diagnosing life-threatening diseases earlier and with more accurate information, improving our chances of being able to save or prolong the lives of our patients.
Increased accuracy
PET/CT is the most effective tool available for detecting and precisely locating cancer. PET/CT catches 80% of tumors, compared to only 52% with MRI.
Increased precision
Because of the simultaneous anatomical and functional imaging, PET/CT can detect the exact location of tumors as small as four millimeters in diameter. It can also determine the tumor's exact size and shape, as well as whether it is benign or malignant.
Earlier detection
PET/CT scans can detect cancer, coronary disease and mental illness even before patients experience symptoms.
Less need for exploratory operations
The high accuracy and extreme precision of PET/CT frequently eliminates the need for more invasive exploratory operations and biopsies.
More effective treatment
Because PET/CT can detect the exact position and stage of tumors, physicians can formulate a more informed—and thereby potentially more effective—treatment strategy.
Effective treatment monitoring
PET/CT can be used to gauge how well cancer treatments are working or determine if cancer has recurred and to what extent.
Whole-body assessment
PET/CT can detect if cancer has traveled from the site of origin (metastasis) to other parts of the body.
Comfort
PET/CT scanning is a relatively comfortable, noninvasive procedure. While the entire process—from arriving at the hospital to being able to go home—takes around two hours, the actual scan only takes 30-45 minutes.
