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Digital PET-CT scan helps doctors detect cancer, assess its spread, and monitor treatment response using advanced medical imaging technology.

What Is a Digital PET-CT Scan and How is it Used for Cancer?

Early and accurate diagnosis is key to successful treatment of cancer. Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) has become the gold standard within oncology, and newer advances have brought us Digital PET-CT imaging, which can give clearer images with less radioactivity exposure and quicker scanning.

Understanding what a digital PET-CT is and how they work better than the previous will help you, your carer and your referring physician make an informed decision.

What is a Digital PET-CT?

In comparison to a traditional PET-CT, a digital PET-CT scan uses digital silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) instead of large photomultiplier tubes (PMT) to detect Gamma radiation from the radiotracer (usually FDG – a glucose mimic) being injected into the patient.

This gives the ability to utilise digital photon counting with no loss of signal, giving much higher resolution and Time of Flight capability.

Benefits of Digital PET-CT

There are many benefits to using Digital PET-CT:

1. Detecting micro metastases/small lesions

Due to the increased volume resolution in digital detectors, millimetre-sized lesions and very small sub-centimetre tumours can be identified.

2. Less Radioactivity Exposure

Due to the increased sensitivity of the digital detector, less FDG will need to be used to create clear images; therefore, less radioactivity exposure.

3. Quicker Scanning

Digital PET-CT can complete the full body scan in almost half the time of a traditional PET-CT. Often, a whole-body scan can be completed in less than 10- 12 minutes. This can make the scan more comfortable for patients who may feel pain or anxiety.

4. Monitoring Response to Treatment

Digital PET-CT can accurately measure Standardised Uptake Values (SUV), allowing Oncologists to accurately measure how the tumour metabolism is changing. This can help identify if Chemotherapy or Immunotherapy is working early on.

Uses for Digital PET-CT Scans

Digital PET-CT can be used to detect malignancies early:

  • Detecting Primary Tumour sites when traditional imaging is inconclusive.
  • Accurately staging cancer to see if it has spread to the lymph nodes, organs or bone marrow.
  • Planning Radiotherapy by identifying exact tumour borders to allow Radiation Oncologists to plan the exact area to target.
  • To screen for recurrence by identifying if any cancer has returned or if it is just scarring.

Preparing for your Digital PET-CT

To produce an accurate metabolic image:

  • Fast for 4-6 hours before your appointment. You can drink water.
  • Do not do any strenuous exercise 24 hours before your scan. This can affect how the sugar in muscles is absorbed.
  • Diabetic Patients should arrange insulin and medication with the facility. Blood sugar needs to be stable to ensure accuracy of the FDG tracer.
  • Arrive early to allow time to sign in, receive FDG tracer and allow time for the 45-60min quiet period.

Digital PET-CT at Apulki Medical Centre

At Apulki Medical Centre, we utilise cutting-edge Digital PET-CT technology alongside expert Nuclear Medicine Specialists and Oncology Radiologists. We provide highly sensitive metabolic imaging, quick reports and compassionate patient care. This enables our clinicians and patients to have the information they need to create effective treatments.