The most accurate method currently available for the early diagnosis of oncological diseases is positron emission tomography (PET), which is used both in the Republic of Belarus and abroad as a primary method for diagnosing tumors and their metastases, as well as for monitoring treatment effectiveness.
The advantage of PET lies in its ability to obtain information at the molecular level. This method does not assess the structure or shape of an organ based on images obtained. Instead, it is based on evaluating the function of organs and systems by generating a color image that reflects the activity of chemical processes occurring in the human body. Since changes in the rate of metabolic reactions occur at very early stages of disease development, PET makes it possible to detect pathology long before structural and functional changes appear in an organ or tissue.
Advantages of PET
The advantages of positron emission tomography include:
- combination of several diagnostic modalities within a single examination and high accuracy of the obtained data,
- complete absence of side effects, pain, or discomfort,
- the ability to diagnose disease at an early stage,
- the possibility of simultaneous examination of all organs,
- the opportunity to timely discontinue unnecessary or ineffective pharmacological treatment or surgical intervention,
- virtually no harmful effect on the body.
Procedure of positron emission tomography
PET is based on the administration of a radioactive tracer, which decays into non-radioactive components within approximately one hour. This should not be a cause for concern, as the radiation dose received is comparable to that of computed tomography or conventional X-ray examinations, while the diagnostic informativeness is significantly higher.
The radiopharmaceutical is produced in a cyclotron specifically designed for this purpose, during the construction of which all safety measures are observed to protect both personnel and the environment.
The positron emission tomograph detects radiation invisible to the naked eye emitted by the radiopharmaceutical that accumulates in tissues. This radiation is recorded by the scanner and transmitted to a computer, where the data are processed and converted into graphical images. This enables visual assessment of so-called “hot spots,” that is, areas with the highest uptake of the radiopharmaceutical. One of the characteristic features of tumor cells is their increased metabolic rate. For this reason, radioactive glucose is used in oncological diagnostics, as cancer cells require glucose for active growth and metabolism.
Another advantage of PET is its ability to detect even very small tumors measuring less than 1 cm, as well as the complete deactivation of the radiopharmaceutical within several hours. In addition, this diagnostic method makes it possible to select the most effective form of therapy with high precision, particularly in cases involving the lymphatic system, and to assess the effectiveness of treatment after its completion.
PET is also used for cancer staging. It allows detection of affected lymph nodes even before they begin to enlarge.
A unique feature of positron emission tomography is the ability to identify metastases without performing additional tissue biopsy. The high diagnostic accuracy (80–95%) makes PET more effective compared with CT (50–68%). In addition, it helps determine the cause of tumor growth, which is essential for selecting an appropriate treatment strategy.
Cost of PET in Belarus
Belarus invites patients to the N.N. Alexandrov National Cancer Centre of Belarus (the clinic is located near Minsk, the capital of the republic) to undergo positron emission tomography and offers affordable prices.
Why should PET be performed in Belarus?
Belarusian medical centers are equipped with modern PET scanners that ensure accurate diagnosis of oncological, neurological, and cardiological diseases. Experienced specialists perform the examination with high precision and patient safety.
