Isotope treatments with state-of-the-art PET-CT equipment

PET-CT scan at Docrates Cancer Center

New state-of-the-art equipment is used for PET-CT scans

Docrates Cancer Center takes advantage of PET-CT equipment in the treatment of an increasing number of patients.

A next generation state-of-the-art PET-CT equipment was installed in the hospital in august 2020. We are the only private operator in Finland that has a PET-CT device. The equipment has many advantages compared to older versions, e.g. scanning time is shorter, radiation doses are smaller and images are more accurate which leads to increased patient safety and comfort as well as even more detailed treatment plans.

When is PET-CT used in cancer care?

At Docrates PET-CT is used for diagnosing spread  of cancer and assessing recurrence and therapeutic response of treatments as well as dose planning of radiotherapy .

PET-CT is typically used in prostate, breast, gynaecological and head/neck area cancers care as well as lymphoma.

Used tracers at Docrates Cancer Center

Several different tracers with specific usage areas are utilized at Docrates Cancer Center. The designated doctor together with the Chief Physician of Nuclear Medicine are defining the optimal tracer individually for every examination and patient. We are among others using the following tracers:

• F-FDG
• F-PSMA*
• Natriumfluoridi (18_F-NaF)

For your knowledge
The producer of the tracers, MAP Medical Technologies, operates in the same building as Docrates Cancer Center. It has its own cyclotron used for the manufacture of tracers and a GMP-level laboratory. There are only a handful of cancer hospitals in the world that can so optimally take advantage of the location of a cyclotron and imaging equipment under the same roof by which tracers are taken into use very quickly.What should I know about the scan?

PET-CT scan starts with the tracer injection by an experienced nurse that is specialized in isotope imaging. You are in safe hands. The PET-CT scan is started depending on the tracer approx. 10-60 minutes after the injection.

The imaging process starts with a TT scan. The PET scan lasts 15-35 minutes depending on the targeted scan area. During the scan the patient is lying on the back on the examination bed when its moving through the gantry. Due to the new device’s increased scan gantry the imaging times are faster and therefore it’s more comfortable for the patient.

During the scan you can be in contact with the nurse personnel. Our experienced team is there for you throughout the whole scanning.

If you have an PET-CT appointment at Docrates Cancer Center, you will receive detailed instructions from your designated nurse how to prepare for the scan.

What is PET-CT scan?

PET-CT is an imaging method exceptionally suitable for diagnostics and treatments for cancer care. The equipment is including two different devices: PET (positron emission tomography) ja CT (computed tomography). CT scan gives an exact image of the body anatomy which is complemented with the information from the PET scan.

PET imaging is based on a venously administered radioactive tracer that via the patient’s bloodstream is taken up by target cancer cells. After the injection the PET imaging stage is followed in which a detector will detect the tracer radiation exposing the cancer location in the body.

How does the PET-CT differ from other imaging methods and what is its biggest advantage?

PET-CT imaging method is very sensitive and accurate in detecting disease changes and those are the most essential differences compared to other imaging methods. PET-CT makes it possible to detect changes that cannot be observed by any other means. Detection of the cancer location, helps the doctors to make more detailed treatment plans in an early stage which leads to even more effective cancer treatments.