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PET scan shows 4
separate locations of cancer in the front of the neck
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PET scan shows that
cancer has spread from the lung, to the left side of the neck and
shoulder. This cancer is not surgically curable. |
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But, does it Work? |
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Beginning in 1998, Dr. Marc Coel,
M.D.,Chief of QMC’s Nuclear Medicine Department. assessed the
value of the PET scan technology in helping to prescribe the best treatment for
cancer patients. Physicians were sent surveys to gauge the
effectiveness and value of the PET scans. In a study group
of 463 cancer patients, the scans were reported to be valuable in 89% of
the patients. In 45% of them, doctors changed the initial
treatment based on the findings of the PET scan!
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In using PET Physicians concluded that |
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In 96% of the cases, the PET scans were judged useful.
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In 33% of the patients, surgery was canceled as a result of
the PET scan's diagnosis.
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In 15% of the patients, chemotherapy or radiation was added
as treatment.
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In 7% of
the patients, treatment was canceled, after the PET scan
showing the absence of any cancer
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In another study, it was shown that PET scans in
comparison to CT were |
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81% accurate in detecting lung cancer, while CT had a 52%
rate.
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95% accurate in detecting colon cancer, while CT had a 68%
rate.
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85% accurate in detecting breast cancer spread, while CT had
a 67% rate.
As the studies show, PET scans are highly efficient in
identifying the presence of cancer. So
accurate are the scans that not only are they being used
to validate the presence of cancer, but in many instances,
they are used to determine if the cancer has spread, where
it has spread to, whether or not treatment has been
successful, and also what type of treatment to use.
In some cases during entire body scans, PET scans have even
identified cancer in parts of the body inadvertently while
scanning for cancer in other suspected locations. |
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The Black and White facts about PET Scans |
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PET is easy to administer in one simple
exam, replacing multiple test procedures.
PET is a safe, non-invasive way to quickly
and accurate diagnose the presence of cancer.
PET can show the spread or remission of the
cancer.
PET can save the patient much pain and the
anxiety of not knowing.
PET can show how the patient is responding to
current cancer treatment.
PET lowers the cost of unnecessary treatment
and invasive (surgical) procedures.
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