[b]Irving, TX[/b] – Whenever a doctor suspects that a patient has a neuroendocrine tumor, they will suggest that the patient undergo a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. This scan will allow the doctor locate, stage and identify how far the disease has gone which would in turn allow them to give the right advice on managing the condition. [b]NETSPOT is a radioactive agent used in a PET scan[/b] for the detection of neuroendocrine tumors in both children and adults.

“Every test is important and must be accurate when trying to diagnose cancer. NETSPOT helps make the right diagnosis thereby giving doctors more insight into the tumor,” says the radiologist.

Somatostatin, a hormone vital to the regulation of the endocrine system, binds to somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) and these are usually expressed in large quantities by neuroendocrine tumors. NETSPOT binds to SSTRs and because it is radioactive, the neuroendocrine tumors highlight on the PET scan images. Undergoing this scan involves:

• Before the procedure – Patients should let the doctor know about any medications they are taking. Drugs such as long-acting somatostatin analogs may interfere with the test results and the doctor will need to schedule the test at an appropriate time.

Patients should drink a lot of water to stay hydrated before the scan is conducted.

• The procedure – The doctor injects the patient with NETSPOT and then asks the patient to wait between 40 and 90 minutes. The procedure takes about 30 minutes to one hour and the patient is required to sit still throughout for better image quality.

• After the procedure – Patients should continue drinking plenty of water and urinating frequently within the first few hours after the scan to help get NETSPOT out of the body thus reducing radiation exposure. It is also important to reduce general exposure to radiation.

“While NETSPOT is radioactive, it causes no notable side effects to patients afterwards,” the radiologist says. “Patients need not worry because the radiation is very low.”

[b]About PET/CT of Las Colinas[/b]

PET/CT of Las Colinas is dedicated to the care and wellbeing of our patients. We understand that the foundation of a successful treatment plan – or a clean bill of health – begins with sophisticated, accurate imagery. We look forward to providing you with the highest level of care. Our imaging center is located conveniently across the highway from the Las Colinas Medical Center within the Las Colinas Cancer Center on Highway 161 in Irving, TX and – once here – we offer hassle-free curbside parking.