A CT scan is basically an advanced imaging modality that provides detailed images of many structures inside the body, including the internal organs, blood vessels and bones. Whereas a PET scan is a functional imaging technique that is different from an anatomical imaging technique or a CT scan and is advised by the doctor only when He suspects a myeloma or cancer in the patient or when he requires a clear picture on how well the tissues or organs inside the individual are functioning. The combined information of PET and CT scan is called a PET/CT scan that Helps the doctor better understand the health problem and make an accurate diagnosis to prevent the disease.
To demonstrate how the procedure is carried out at NCCI , allow me to present you a case of my mother who was suffering from intolerable back pain 3 to 4 months ago. Before discovering NCCI through an advertisement on Facebook, we had visited nearby clinics and centres who failed to diagnose the disease until we came across a professional neurosurgeon with great expertise -Dr.Abdul Sattar Hashim who advised my mother to get a PET/CT scan done since he suspected signs of cancer while taking her history. Earlier due to lack of understanding of other healthcare professionals, she was told to get an N1RI done of the entire spine.
The MRI results showed no signs of disease thus making her believe that the reason for back pain is her diabetes so medications were taken accordingly to control her hinrui irmr IPvPls but takina these measures did not stop the growing intensity of her pain that was radiating through her spine , affecting her mobility to a great extent. After putting herself in agony for days , she went through PET/CT as suggested by the surgeon.
Before the procedure of cancer detection the patient is asked to be in a fasting state for about 4 to 6 hours and a history informing the radiologists about the allergies, claustrophobic condition and any chances of pregnancy is also taken to prevent any complications followed by the procedure. Soon after this step a radioactive tracer is infused in the blood of the patient intravenously. The tracer is basically attached to a sugar which is taken up Majorly by malignant cells , allowing doctors or Oncologists to clearly detect the location of abnormally high metabolic lesions in the patient or cancer cells and deduce appropriate methods tc cure the disease either by surgery or chemotherapy. In my mothers case once the above mentioned procedure was done.
The reports indicated metabolically active lung cancer that had to be dealt with immediately to stop it’s progression and for that prof. Abdul Sattar Hashim suggested to consult an experienced Oncologist dr. Azhar Rasheed who advised chemotherapy or ” VMAT” ( volumetric modulated arc therapy) for at least 3 months after clearly examining the patient and going through the PET/CT reports. Once the 3 months chemotherapy session was done the patient revisited the hospital where her vitals were checked and PET /CT procedure was repeated. This time the reports showed complete recovery of the patient with minimal spread of the cancer . Today marks the end of 4th month and I can gladly say that the treatment offered by NCCI was worth every penny. Now my mother can perform all pursuits of her life at home without having to suffer from the previous intolerable backache. Shown below are my mothers pre and post treatment PET/CT scan reports . regards Sara