PET and SPECT/CT scan

​PET scan

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging method used to locate cancerous tumours and/or metastases using special cameras that can detect the increased metabolic activity of cancer cells. Before the scan, you will be given a radioactive substance that travels to the brain, liver and any tumours, and which can be detected by gamma cameras. For a more detailed anatomical image of the cancerous tumour, PET scans are combined with CT scans. The Department of Oncology uses the PET scanner of the HUS Medical Imaging Centre.
 
SPECT/CT scan

Single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is similar to PET. In SPECT/CT scanning, the camera moves around the patient, providing 3D images of the targeted body part. This makes it for example possible to accurately locate a tumour. For a more detailed image, 3D SPECT scans can be combined with images rendered using other scanning techniques. SPECT/CT scanning is typically used to scan bones with a gamma camera, to calculate ejection fraction, and to follow the movement of radiotracers used in nuclear medicine.