Molecular Imaging
Molecular Imaging - Peter Mac Cancer Centre
| Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy >> | ||||||
| Nuclear Medicine >> | ||||||
| PET Centre >> | ||||||
Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy | ||||||
| What is Molecular Imaging? | ||||||
| Molecular imaging is also known as Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine. It is a form of medical imaging that uses tiny amounts of radioactive chemicals, called radiotracers. These are mostly injected into the bloodstream. They may also be given by other routes. The imaging shows where the radiotracers concentrate in body. The results can provide information about how different cells, tissues and organs in the body function. Doctors use the results to provide an accurate diagnosis of a variety of medical conditions including heart disease, thyroid dysfunction, bone disorders and cancer. At Peter Mac molecular imaging is separated into Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Nuclear Medicine. Both usually involve having a CT scan at the same time. This helps to locate the site in the body where the radiotracer collects. Results of the scans are used to improve treatment selection and planning. Molecular imaging involves being exposed to small amounts of radiation. At all times the least amount of radiation is used to achieve the most accurate result. These tests will only be done if it is felt that the results will help answer the clinical question asked by the referring doctor. | ||||||
Nuclear Medicine | ||||||
| Procedures | ||||||
| Most of our diagnostic procedures will require an injection of tiny amounts of radioactive chemicals called ‘radiotracers’. Radiotracers can be injected into the bloodstream or into the skin. In some cases they can be swallowed or inhaled. Sometimes scans will be performed immediately after you have been given the radiotracer to look at the rapid passage of the tracer through the body. However some tracers accumulate very slowly in tissues. In these cases, you maybe allowed to leave the department during this time but you will be given a time to return for scanning. This can be from several hours up to a few days later. All nuclear medicine scans involve administration of radioactive compounds but the radiation dose received is small. There is very low risk to you. Most doses are similar to the amount of radiation you would receive from the environment over the course a year. | ||||||
| Preparation You will be given preparation instructions (as required) when you book your scan. It is important to let the Technologist know if you have any other procedures booked as this information may alter your booking time and pre-scan preparation. If you are pregnant or breast–feeding, it is important to notify the technologist before the test. | ||||||
| Scanning Scanning times vary depending on the type of scan and why you are having it. Total scanning time can be between 15 and 90 minutes. Some procedures may require a return for scanning in 24 – 48 hours. | ||||||
| What is Radionuclide Therapy? | ||||||
| In some cases it is possible to use large doses of radiotracers as a treatment. For example when radiotracers collect in a diseased tissue to a high degree compared to normal tissue. Using radiotracers this way is called Radionuclide Therapy. To test if a condition is suitable to be treated by radionuclide therapy, a small amount of the tracer therapy agent or a related chemical is given. If the uptake in the issues is sufficiently high, a larger ‘treatment’ dose may be suitable. All treatment plans are discussed with the patient and the clinician managing their disease. Radionuclide therapy can be given as a day procedure or in an inpatient setting depending on the amount and type of radiation administered. The dose of radiation in the tracer and how quickly it reduces will determine when patients can go home. Most patients are able to leave hospital either on the day of administration or up to a few days later. | ||||||
| Location | ||||||
| 1st Floor – Diagnostic Imaging East Melbourne Site | ||||||
| Key Contacts | ||||||
| Nuclear Medicine Bookings Ph: (03) 9656 1233 Fax: (03) 9656 1406 | ||||||
| Report Enquiries Fax: (03) 9656 1020 | ||||||
PET Centre | ||||||
| A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is an imaging procedure showing the chemical activity of an organ or tissue, rather than its structure. | ||||||
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| Why do I need a PET scan? >> | ||||||
| What will the procedure involve? >> | ||||||
| How long will it take? >> | ||||||
| What preparation is required for a PET scan? >> | ||||||
| When will the results be available? >> | ||||||
| Are there any risks or side effects? >> | ||||||
| Research Studies and Clinical Trials >> | ||||||
| Where is the PET Centre? >> | ||||||
| Key contacts >> | ||||||
| Why do I need a PET scan? | ||||||
| PET is extremely sensitive for detecting the early stages of disease. PET can detect abnormal changes when there is no obvious structural change and small amounts of tumour may be found, which may be undetectable by other imaging procedures. PET information can aid in choosing the best treatment for patients. It can be used to determine what combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is most likely to be successful in managing a person’s cancer. PET can also help to monitor the effectiveness of therapy and assist planning for surgery and radiotherapy. | ||||||
| What will the procedure involve? | ||||||
| You will receive an injection of a glucose/sugar compound, which is a radioactive chemical known as FDG. The radioactive tracer travels in the blood and is absorbed by the tissues.... After this injection, you will need to lie down and rest for a minimum of 60 minutes, while the radioactive sugar circulates around your body. Resting prevents your muscles from taking up the radioactive sugar and limiting the view of any tumour. After this resting period, you will be moved to the scanning room, where pictures will be taken. This will take 15 – 30 minutes depending on the area required to be scanned. | ||||||
| How long will it take? | ||||||
| Mostly you will spend around two hours at the PET Centre. You may bring your own music CD to listen to or DVD to watch for the resting period. | ||||||
| What preparation is required for a PET scan? | ||||||
| You will need to fast (no food) before the PET scan, as the concentration of the radioactive sugar in tumour is affected by the amount of natural sugar in the blood. This is particularly important for diabetic patients. You can ONLY drink water... Some other preparations may be required, depending on the area being scanned. A personalised instruction sheet listing the exact preparation you will need will be sent to you. Please contact us on 03 9656 1854 if you have any questions or concerns. | ||||||
| When will the results be available? | ||||||
| The results of your PET scan should be with your referring doctor within approximately three working days. You will need to contact your referring doctor to obtain your results. | ||||||
| Are there any risks or side effects? | ||||||
| Having a PET scan is a very safe and routine procedure. The radiation dose you receive for this procedure is very small.. By the end of the day all the radiation will be out of your body. When you go home you will not need to distance or isolate yourself from others. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding it is important to notify the technologist before the test. | ||||||
| Research Studies and Clinical Trials | ||||||
| In some studies PET scans are performed which may involve other tracers and different patient preparation. If you are participating in a clinical trial this will be explained to you. | ||||||
| Where is the PET Centre? | ||||||
| The PET Centre is on the Upper Ground Floor at the East Melbourne site. | ||||||
| Key contacts | ||||||
| General Enquiries - PET Ph: (03) 9656 1854 Fax: (03) 9656 1826 Booking Enquiries - PET Ph: (03) 9656 1852 Report Enquiries Ph: (03) 9656 1854 Billing Enquiries Ph: (03) 9656 1854 Bookings - Nuclear Medicine Ph: (03) 9656 1233 Fax: (03) 9656 1406 |
