🧬 PET-CT Scan (Positron Emission Tomography + CT)

A powerful imaging test that shows both metabolic activity and detailed structure in one scan.

🔍 What is it?

A PET-CT scan combines positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) to provide detailed images of how tissues and organs are functioning.

It’s especially useful for detecting cancer, inflammation, or metabolic activity in organs.

🧪 What does it show?

• Areas of abnormal metabolism (like cancer cells)
• Spread (metastasis) of cancer
• Inflammation or infection
• Response to cancer treatment
• Brain function or seizure focus

❓ Why might I need it?

🎯 Cancer staging or detection
📊 Monitoring treatment effectiveness
🧠 Evaluation of epilepsy or brain abnormalities
💥 Detecting infections or inflammation
🧬 Diagnosing unexplained symptoms when other scans are inconclusive

🧬 Conditions it can help detect:
 

• Cancer (e.g., lung, bowel, lymphoma)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Epilepsy or brain tumours
• Heart muscle damage
• Fever of unknown origin

🩺 How is it done?
 

You’ll receive a small injection of radioactive tracer, wait ~1 hour for absorption, then lie in a scanner for imaging.

⚛️ The tracer highlights areas of high activity
⏳ Scan time: ~30 minutes (plus prep)
🧘 Minimal discomfort, low radiation exposure

💷 Typical Private Cost in the UK:

💰 £1,000–£2,500

✅ Commonly Combined With:

• Biopsy – to sample highlighted tissue
• Blood tumour markers
• MRI or CT for multi-scan analysis

📚 References:

• NHS – PET-CT Scan Overview
• Cancer Research UK – Cancer Tests
• NICE – Oncology Diagnostic Imaging