What should I expect during a PET scan for Breast Cancer

What to Expect During a PET Scan for Breast Cancer

A PET scan is an imaging test that helps your oncology team see where cancer cells are in your body and how active they are. Here's what you should know about the experience:

How PET Scans Work

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Metastatic Breast Cancer, a PET scan uses a radioactive substance called a tracer that's injected into a vein. This tracer is combined with a simple form of sugar called glucose. Cancer cells use sugar much faster than normal cells, so they "light up" on the scan, appearing as bright spots.

The scan shows how metabolically active (how much energy) different areas of your body are using—helping doctors distinguish between cancer cells and normal tissue.

Before Your Scan

Fasting requirement: You'll need to avoid eating and drinking for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This is important because it helps the tracer work more effectively.

Timing: Plan to arrive early for check-in and preparation.

During the Scan

1. Tracer injection: A technician will inject the radioactive tracer into your arm through an IV
2. Waiting period: You'll wait about 1 hour while the tracer travels through your body and is absorbed by cells
3. Positioning: You'll lie on a table that slides into the PET scanner
4. Duration: The actual scanning usually takes 20-30 minutes
5. What you'll experience: The machine is quiet or makes minimal noise. You need to stay still during imaging

Types of PET Scans for Breast Cancer

The NCCN Guidelines describe several options your doctor might use:

• FDG-PET/CT: The most common type, using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) tracer. This is helpful when other imaging results are unclear and can find cancer in lymph nodes and distant sites
• FES-PET/CT: May be used specifically for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, using a radioactive form of estrogen as the tracer
• Sodium fluoride PET/CT: Sometimes used instead of a bone scan to check for cancer spread to bones

Important Things to Know

Safety: The amount of radiation is very small and considered safe. The tracer leaves your body naturally through urine shortly after the scan.

Limitations: According to the NCCN Guidelines, not all tumors will show up on a PET scan, and not all bright spots are cancer. Normal structures like your brain, heart, kidneys, and bladder naturally appear bright. Inflammation or infection can also show up as bright spots, which is why your doctor interprets results in context with other imaging and clinical findings.

Contrast material: If your scan is combined with a CT scan (called PET/CT), contrast dye may be used to improve image quality. Tell your care team if you've had allergic reactions to contrast in the past.

Questions to Ask Your Care Team

1. Which type of PET scan will I have, and why is that the best choice for my situation?
2. What should I do about my medications on the day of the scan?
3. When will I get my results, and who will explain them to me?
4. How will these results affect my treatment plan?
5. Are there any specific symptoms or concerns I should report before the scan?

After Your Scan

You can return to normal activities immediately. Drink plenty of water to help flush the tracer from your system. There are no restrictions on being around other people—the amount of radiation is minimal.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.