CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Nuclear medicine scan
FDG PET scan (Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography)
A FDG PET scan is one of the more common nuclear medicine scans, used to assess the metabolic activity of certain tumours. It can also be used to stage a disease, or monitor the body during treatment. The scan involves an injection into a vein in your arm of FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose), a substance similar to glucose. The scan will show your consultant how your body's cells are using energy.
About
A FDG PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) scan is used to assess the metabolic activity of certain tumours.
It's often used to detect the following:
- lung cancer
- brain cancer
- breast cancer
- ovarian cancer
- colorectal cancer
- lymphomas
- melanomas and multiple melanomas.
Need to know
What happens during your scan?
Your FDG PET scan will be carried out by one of our specialist technicians at a HCA UK centre. After explaining the scan, you will be given an intravenous injection of a fluorodeoxyglucose, a radioactive tracer.
You'll then be asked to wait for up to two hours for the tracer to be absorbed fully. After the tracer has set in, you'll be asked to lie flat on your back. Your technician will then use a nuclear medical scanner to take photos of the inside of your body. The radioactive tracer will help to show up your internal organs in detail. The scan will take about an hour.
You'll be asked to avoid eating anything for six hours before your scan. You may also be asked to limit your drink intake.
You'll be able to go home straight after your FDG PET scan. The results of your scan will be sent to your HCA UK GP or consultant. They'll discuss the results with you and let you know if you require any further tests or treatment.
Our FDG PET scan locations
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street London W1G 8BJ
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street London SE1 2PR
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.