Radiotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of cancer, employing ionizing radiation to target and destroy malignant cells. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in the field of Radiotherapy, leading to improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects.
Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is a powerful technique that utilizes advanced imaging technologies to precisely locate tumors and adjust treatment plans accordingly. By integrating imaging devices such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET), IGRT enables real-time monitoring of tumor position, shape, and response to therapy. This allows clinicians to adapt radiation delivery to the changing tumor anatomy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Moreover, IGRT aids in the accurate targeting of tumors that may move due to patient breathing or organ motion, enhancing treatment precision.
The field of radiation has undergone a technological revolution, allowing for more precise and efficient treatment delivery. Image-guided radiation (IGRT) integrates radiotherapy planning and delivery technologies with real-time imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As a result, radiation is accurately delivered to the appropriate target while minimising damage to healthy tissues. This enables exact tumour visualisation and alignment.
Advanced radiation delivery methods like volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) make it possible to provide extremely conformal doses of radiation. These strategies modify the radiation dose to fit complicated tumour geometries while preserving neighbouring vital structures by varying the strength and shape of the radiation beams.
Positron-Emission Tomography (PET), a nuclear medicine imaging technique, makes use of a radioactive isotope for the purpose of understanding the metabolic processes that take place in your body and diagnosing diseases. It provides 3D color images of the cells of your body. The radioactive (radiopharmaceutical) material used for performing the scan typically attaches itself to sugar or glucose and travels all over your body. The radioactive isotope gathers more in cells that make use of a lot of energy, typically cancer cells, and emits positively charged particles called positrons. A suitably positioned camera is used to detect the emissions and create images on a computer.
PET Scan – Why is it done?
A PET Scan is often done to:
- Diagnose certain types of cancers
- Understand to what extent cancer has progressed (staging of cancer)
- Follow-up after cancer treatment (effectiveness of treatment)
- Check if there is a relapse after the treatment or whether other parts of your body have been affected
- Diagnose non-cancerous conditions
A combined PET and computed tomography (CT) scan is a better option. It provides a better and more comprehensive image related to the location of a tumor and its growth and spread. The combined scan is always better than an independent PET or CT scan.
Scan results – What do they indicate
PET scans are useful in detecting the areas of activity (growth of cells) in your body. As more of the radioactive material gets collected in the cancer cells than in normal cells, they will appear brighter on images.
A PET scan does not always show up all cancers. Often, the PET scan results are correlated with that of other laboratories as well as imaging test results. Further, more tests will be required to confirm whether the area that has collected more radioactive material is cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). This is because a recent surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and some medicines can potentially impact the test results.
What happens if the results are not normal?
In such a situation, your doctor might recommend additional tests, procedures, and follow-up consultations or treatment.
If you are a resident of Mumbai and your doctor has advised PET scan, MPCT Hospital has the Best PET Scan Center in Mumbai. As the best cancer screening hospital in Mumbai, the health care center boasts of having state-of-the-art imaging equipment and takes cancer diagnosis to the next level.
