1. PET Scan Jennifer Guan and Rebecca Zheng

2. Common Uses Generally used with X-rays or MRI. Used to make diagnosis or to get more data,PET scans are also especially useful for cancer treatment and prevention 3. Cancer PET scans are especially effective in cancer treatment. They can show cancer stage of cancer whether cancer has spread effectiveness of ongoing chemotherapy a PET scan after several weeks after starting radiation treatment for lung cancer can indicate whether tumor will respond to treatment. 4. Method 1. Inject radioactive substance into participant 2. Produces gamma rays as it is metabolized by the brain 3. Gamma rays produced detected by machine 4. Signal turned into computer image that displays colorful map of activity in different parts of the brain 5. Limitations low spatial resolution compared to other types of scanning methods small abnormalities cannot be detected easily if patient moves during process, it will cause blurs which could cause misinterpretations limit on amount of radionuclide makes difficult to clearly see tissues can miss certain abnormalities and misinterpret data 6. Limitations Tracer takes 30-60 minute to reach area in body than scanning process takes between 45 - 60 minutes, during which patient must try to remain still can cause discomfort especially to those who have difficulty remaining still for long period of time PET equipment is expensive and susceptible to breaking down Therefore procedure is also expensive in 2010, a PET scan can cost from 5,720 to 8,900 RMB 7. Limitations Radionuclide tracer can be dangerous to or should be avoided by patients who are sensitive to radiation patients who are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breast feeding Radioactivity stays in body for a length of time patients must stay away from anyone who is pregnant, the elderly and those with decreased immunity Radioactive exposure means patient can only undergo PET scans a limited number of times 8. Strengths PET scan shows how a part of the patients body is functioning, rather than just how it looks. Can show how effective a particular treatment is Early detection. Earliest symptoms often show through cellular respiration and PET scans can show that. MRI scans for example can only show structure change 9. Strengths Able to show characteristics (such as whether cancer has spread within body) that otherwise would need surgery to show Limits patient discomfort and risk of infection Can scan large area of body typical body scan will go from shoulders to thigh Can show whether tumor is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), eliminating unneeded surgeries. 10. Video 11. Picture 1 Difference in FDOPA levels between a control and Parkinsons Disease 12. Picture 2