Role of the PET Scan in Breast Cancer Treatment

Role of the PET Scan in Breast Cancer
Treatment
Breast Cancer is one of the most common invasive cancers in women and
the main reason of cancer death after lung cancer. However, advancement
in screening and treatment methods have improved survival rate
dramatically as compared to historical data. Awareness of the symptoms
and the need for screening are important ways of reducing the risk. There
are many opinions and different recommendations about the right age to
start and stop breast cancer screening and how often to do a screening test.
Screening of breasts can find signs of cancer before symptoms of cancer
begin when the cancer is more likely to be curable. Though there is a range
of breast cancer screening techniques are available, the mammogram is the
most used method to find breast cancer.
However, Positron emission tomography combined with computed
tomography (PET/CT) has been receiving surging attention during the past
few years for making the diagnosis, for determining the staging and for the
follow-up of various malignancies. It has a role to play in a selected group
of patients.
PET Scan for Breast Cancer
Breast Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that
uses a tracer (radioactive substance) to look for symptoms of breast cancer.
This radioactive tracer can help identify areas of cancer that an MRI or CT
scan may miss. PET/CT scan can accurately localize lymph node metastasis
and help to monitor the response to chemotherapy in breast cancer
patients.
Role of PET/CT Scan
Diagnosis:
A breast PET/CT has the capability to show abnormal metabolic activity,
and 18F-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) PET/Ct scan provides important tumorrelated quantitative and qualitative metabolic information which may be
critical for the diagnosis and follow-up. The only limitation in the diagnosis
of breast cancer using PET/CT scan is its poor detection rate for small
breast carcinomas and non-invasive breast cancers.
Though the ability of PET to identify breast cancer depends on the tumor’s
size and histology, PET/CT has an important role to play in determining
tumor multiplicity and a selected group of women with dense breasts or
implants. A breast PET/CT scan also performs a key role for localizing the
primary tumor in patients with metastases of a breast origin where
mammography is indeterminate, as well as for the women whom biopsy is
not a desired alternative for screening.
Other Uses:
PET scans can be advantageous for evaluating women after breast
cancer has already been diagnosed, in a number of different ways:
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To identify whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
To identify whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body
To assess whether metastatic breast cancer is responding to
treatment
PET/CT Scans in Mumbai are available in very few centers, and they are
costly, a sophisticated diagnostic test that requires special expertise.
Usually, a breast PET/CT scan is preferred only if your oncologist has a
reason to believe that cancer has spread beyond the breast (case of
invasive breast cancer). It can be helpful if other diagnostic tests can’t
determine whether cancer has spread to other areas of the body. The
expert oncologist may ask for a PET/CT scan test if he/she suspects
recurrence of previous breast cancer.
Best PET/CT Center in Mumbai
At PET CT Scan Mumbai, we have the highly-acclaimed Discovery IQ 5-ring,
which is the modern, world-class imaging equipment, known for the best
quality imaging and intelligent quantitation, ensuring the highest level of
accurate diagnosis. Our Nuclear Medicine experts have years of experience
in this advanced specialty, providing excellent care & diagnosis to patients
from all over. Our center is known for providing the most affordable
PET/CT scan in Mumbai with exceptional diagnostic results. Get in touch
with our team to know more about Breast PET/CT Scan in Mumbai.

Screening of breasts can find signs of cancer before symptoms of cancer begin when the cancer is more likely to be curable. Though there is a range of breast cancer screening techniques are available, the mammogram is the most used method to find breast cancer.

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