PET/CT

PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography) is a hybrid imaging modality that combines nuclear medicine with radiology. This technology simultaneously visualizes both the structural characteristics of organs and cellular-level metabolic activity, playing a major role particularly in cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. PET/CT not only diagnoses existing diseases but also provides the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment process.

Technological Infrastructure and Method of Use

PET/CT combines two distinct technologies within a single device:

• PET (Positron Emission Tomography): FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose), a radioactive glucose analog, is injected into the body. Since cancer cells consume more energy than normal cells, they take up FDG more avidly. This allows metabolically active foci to be identified.
• CT (Computed Tomography): Provides a detailed image of the body's anatomical structure.

The data obtained from PET and CT are superimposed, revealing both the location and extent of the disease with high accuracy. This integrated approach helps detect not only cancerous tissue but also conditions with elevated metabolic activity, such as infection and inflammation.

Advantages

• Early detection allows cancer spread to be identified while still in its initial stage.
• Accurate staging enables personalized treatment planning.
• Allows the treatment to be adjusted throughout the process.
• Provides guidance in surgical or radiotherapy planning.
• Allows evaluation of non-oncological conditions as well (such as infections or certain neurological diseases).

Areas of Application

PET/CT has a very broad range of clinical applications:

• Oncology: Diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of treatment response in tumors
• Neurology: Identification of Alzheimer's disease and epileptogenic foci
• Cardiology: Assessment of myocardial viability
• Infection and Inflammation: Detection of infectious foci or inflammatory processes