PET/CT and Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine uses selected radiopharmaceuticals to assess how tissues or organs function. PET/CT combines functional tracer information with CT anatomy; other studies use gamma-camera imaging or SPECT/CT. The correct examination is chosen for a specific clinical question, not as a universal screening test.
MPGCARE coordinates assessment at Medical Park and Liv Hospital in Türkiye. The hospital confirms the nuclear-medicine specialist, tracer, protocol and available services. We support records, preparation communication, appointments and travel. Availability and clinical suitability must be established before booking.

Diseases, indications and examination options

These are examples for specialist review. The same scan or tracer is not suitable for every cancer or symptom. The treating team decides whether a study will change diagnosis or treatment; services are confirmed individually.

Disease / clinical question	Possible examination	Purpose and important limits
Lung cancer	Selected FDG PET/CT	May support staging or treatment assessment; integrate with pathology and other imaging.
Lymphoma	FDG PET/CT in appropriate types	Assess extent or response according to the clinical pathway and treatment timing.
Selected breast, colorectal and other cancers	Indication-specific PET/CT	Not routine for every case; tumour type, stage and clinical question determine value.
Prostate cancer	Selected PSMA PET/CT	Specialist staging or recurrence assessment; tracer/protocol and availability confirmed.
Neuroendocrine tumours	Selected receptor-targeted PET/CT	Receptor imaging can answer different questions from FDG; requires correct tumour and tracer selection.
Selected epilepsy or cognitive disorders	Specialist brain functional imaging	An adjunct in defined cases, not a diagnosis from a scan alone or a routine test for all memory complaints.
Cardiac perfusion or viability questions	Selected myocardial SPECT/PET study	Cardiology determines the question, stress preparation and suitability.
Bone disease or suspected bone involvement	Bone scintigraphy with selected SPECT/CT	Investigates relevant bone activity; abnormal uptake has several possible causes.
Kidney function, drainage or scarring	Selected renal scintigraphy	Protocol chosen for function, obstruction or scarring; integrates with nephrology/urology findings.
Thyroid functional disorders	Thyroid scintigraphy/uptake study	Assesses functional pattern; recent iodine exposure and medicines may affect preparation.
Parathyroid localisation	Selected scintigraphy/SPECT/CT	Localisation after biochemical diagnosis; not a general test of parathyroid function.
Selected infection or inflammation	Targeted nuclear-medicine study	May assist a defined diagnostic question; uptake is not automatically malignancy.

What is the difference between PET/CT, CT and SPECT/CT?
CT mainly shows anatomical structures; PET identifies the distribution of a selected radioactive tracer. SPECT uses a different imaging approach and tracers. Combining functional and anatomical data helps answer particular questions. The CT component may be low-dose localisation or a diagnostic CT, sometimes with contrast, depending on the plan. These examinations are not interchangeable.

Why does tracer selection matter?
FDG reflects glucose-related activity, but not every tumour is best assessed with FDG. PSMA or receptor-targeted studies have different indications. The specialist uses the diagnosis, pathology, prior scans and intended question to choose. The correct tracer, production schedule and appointment availability are confirmed by the hospital; a generic PET request does not specify the entire examination.

How should I prepare?
For an FDG study, fasting, plain-water intake, exercise restrictions and glucose checks are commonly part of preparation. Other tracers and scintigraphy protocols have different instructions. Obtain the exact written plan from the receiving department. Tell the team about treatment dates, infection, vaccines, medicines and recent contrast. Do not independently stop prescriptions or assume that another hospital’s fasting instructions apply.

What if I have diabetes?
Glucose, insulin and meal timing can influence FDG image quality. Inform the department about diabetes, medicines and usual readings before the visit so the appointment and preparation can be tailored. Do not alter insulin or diabetes tablets yourself. If glucose or preparation is unsuitable, the department may revise or postpone the study rather than produce a misleading scan.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell the department before scheduling if pregnancy is possible or you are breastfeeding. The specialist weighs need, alternatives and radiation precautions. Breastfeeding interruption or contact advice depends on the exact radiopharmaceutical and procedure; there is no single rule for every nuclear-medicine test. Obtain individual written instructions before injection.

What happens during the examination?
Staff confirm preparation and give the tracer, commonly through a vein for PET. An uptake/rest period is followed by imaging while lying still. Injection, waiting and scanning mean the visit is longer than the scan itself. Duration varies by protocol and additional images; confirm the planned time rather than assume same-day completion and reporting. Inform staff about mobility or continence needs.

Does it hurt, and can children be assessed?
The injection may feel like an ordinary needle procedure. Remaining still can be uncomfortable, and claustrophobia should be discussed beforehand. Children need an age-appropriate protocol and dose; sedation is considered only when necessary with the relevant team. If sedated, preparation, accompaniment and recovery requirements are explained separately.

Radiation, contrast and other risks
The team justifies the study and optimises exposure; nuclear imaging uses ionising radiation and is not risk-free. Tracer injection and CT contrast are different substances. Contrast may require separate allergy and kidney-function review. Tell staff about previous reactions and kidney disease. Discuss the expected benefit and alternatives for the actual examination.

Does increased uptake prove cancer?
No. Infection, inflammation and normal processes can show uptake, and some lesions may not be well detected by a chosen tracer. Scan timing after treatment can affect interpretation. The report is read with history, pathology and earlier images. Additional imaging or biopsy may be needed; PET/CT does not guarantee detection of every cancer or replace all tissue diagnosis.

What happens after the scan?
The department gives tracer-specific advice on fluids, toilet hygiene, close contact with children or pregnant people and any breastfeeding restrictions. Follow your own instructions, including any fluid limit for heart or kidney disease. Radiation can occasionally trigger security detectors; ask whether a travel letter is useful. A nuclear-medicine specialist reports findings for review with the referring clinician.

How does nuclear-medicine treatment differ?
A diagnostic scan obtains information; radionuclide therapy delivers treatment for selected conditions, such as radioiodine for appropriate thyroid disease or specialised targeted therapies. Eligibility, kidney/marrow safety, preparation, radiation precautions and follow-up differ from imaging. Advanced treatment and tracer access are not offered to every patient or assumed available at every hospital. The receiving programme confirms the exact service.

Documents, cost and appointment timing
Provide age, diagnosis, referral question, pathology, prior images/reports, treatment dates, medicines and diabetes/pregnancy details through MPGCARE’s designated channel. Clarify tracer, CT/contrast scope, additional images, reporting and follow-up in the estimate. Appointment timing depends on clinical need, tracer availability and preparation. Preliminary review is not a confirmed procedure booking.

Travel and patient coordination
Free Sarp–Trabzon transfer is offered for road arrivals and free airport–hospital transfer for air arrivals. Timing, route and companions are confirmed in advance. Accommodation and transport should allow the full visit and any department-specific contact precautions. Discuss results with the treating clinician before deciding the next treatment step.

Patient information sources: NHS Christie: PET/CT · CUH: PET/CT · NHS: nuclear medicine · NHS: diagnostic studies · NHS: thyroid scan · NHS: radionuclide therapy

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