Patient brochures
View these brochures for more information on what to expect during a PET scan
- PET/CT – Imaging for cancer: What you need to know
- PET/CT – Imaging for cancer: What you need to know (Spanish)
- PET/CT – Imaging the brain: What you need to know
- PET/CT – Imaging the brain: What you need to know (Spanish)
- PET/CT – Imaging the heart: What you need to know
- PET/CT – Imaging the heart: What you need to know (Spanish)
- Pediatric imaging for cancer: What you need to know
- PET/CT Bone Imaging with 18F NaF: What you need to know
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Your physician may have ordered a PET or PET/CT scan to aid in the diagnosis and/or management of your health. PET technology has several applications including Cardiology, Oncology and Neurology which better enables physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.
More specifically, PET technology enables:
- Early detection of disease
- Precise staging of disease progression
- Accurate monitoring of the effects of therapy
This website will answer some of your questions or concerns about the scan. Before visiting the PET clinic, you should follow a few simple preparation steps to make your scan as effective as possible. Upon arrival, you will meet with a PET technologist who will explain the scanning process.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Will I be exposed to radiation? Yes, but the exposure is minimal and your physician has determined that the medical benefits from an accurate diagnosis / staging of your disease warrant the test being performed. |
| Will I experience any side effects from a PET scan? Most patients do not experience any side effects from an F-18 FDG injection. PET scanning is very safe and you are not expected to experience any major side effects from the injection. Due to the PET agent’s radioactive nature, it will clear your body’s system in a short period of time. |
| Is my PET scan covered by my insurance? Over the last few years, insurance companies have broadened their coverage of the different types of existing PET scans allowing more patient access to PET scans. Therefore, most PET scans for cancer evaluation should be covered. Additional coverage may be available for heart viability and brain disorders. This will be reviewed with your physician’s office prior to your exam. If coverage is available, coverage amounts may vary depending on your insurance plan. You should contact your insurance carrier with any questions regarding your coverage. |
