Nuclear Medicine and PET-CT

Available at Mount Alvernia Integrated Cancer Centre

PET/CT combines functional PET imaging with detailed CT anatomy in a single scan to help diagnose, stage, and monitor cancer and other conditions.

What is a PET-CT scan and how does it work?

PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography and CT is short for Computed Tomography. A PET-CT scan collects information on how your tissues and organs are currently working. This information can be used to locate, diagnose, and monitor many health issues including cancer. The scanner equipment looks like a standard CT machine.

During a PET-CT scan, a small amount of radioactive material called radiotracers, or radiopharmaceuticals, are injected into a vein in your arm or hand. These radiotracers help the PET-CT scanner detect where issues may be located and help determine the best treatment possible. PET-CT scans give your health professional information not available from other types of scans.

What is the scan used for?

PET-CT scans are used to help in the diagnoses of brain and neurological conditions. These may include tumours, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or similar conditions.

Scans are also used to locate cancer in order to determine the best treatment possible while also monitoring existing treatments. It can also help your health professional plan for surgery or radiation therapy.

In some instances, PET-CT scans can also be used to diagnose heart-related issues such as coronary artery disease.

Nuclear Medicine and PET-CT Services

At Icon, our Nuclear Medicine and PET-CT services are managed in partnership with RadLink Diagnostic Imaging (S) Pte Ltd. This partnership allows us to offer the following PET-CT services.

A cornerstone of oncologic imaging, FDG (or Fluorodeoxyglucose, is useful in tumour staging and treatment while also assisting in both predicting prognosis and treatment response. FDG is non-invasive for patients while still allowing for accurate information to aid in early treatment options.
F18-Fluromethylcholine (FCH) is the preferred method for the detection or metastatic disease such as extensive bone metastases or prostate cancer.
A more sensitive and specific technique, NaF-18 makes lesions easier to see than more traditional bone scanning allowing for a relatively higher number of lesions detected.
Providing excellent contract and a high detection rate, Ga-68 PSMA provides valuable marker information that allows for more specific treatment for prostate cancer patients.
Using Gallum-68 (Ga-68_ labelled compound DOTATATE, this scan allows for higher resolution and improved pharmacokinetics with promising results in the detection of SST receptor-expressing tumours.
A breakthrough in imaging and diagnostics technology now allows for early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease. Allowing for early detection provides a more precise understanding to the changes going on in the brain.
A combination of PET examinations for improved diagnosis of liver cancer.

Frequently asked questions

According to Ministry’s of Health (MOH) guidelines, you will be able to claim-
- Cancer Drug Services and Other Cancer Scans from 1 September 2022 onwards up to $600 per year per patient.
- Outpatient scans for diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition up to $300 per year per patient.
Please note, this does not apply to plain X-rays or scans that are already claimable under other MediSave schemes such as scans for cancer treatment, scans for chronic disease under the Chronic Disease Management Programme, or antenatal scans.
Excluding diabetic medications, you can continue to take your regular medications for most medical conditions with water on the morning or your scan if you don’t need to take them with food.
Please speak to your doctor for advice for your specific needs.
For patients with Diabetes, please check your blood glucose level on the morning after your 12-hour fast. If your blood glucose is-
- 80-150 mg/dL, go to your appointment as scheduled.
- Below 70 mg/dL or you have hypoglycaemic symptoms, please treat your low blood glucose in your usual way. Do not let low blood glucose go untreated. You will need to call to reschedule your scan.
- Above 150 mg/dL, we may need to reschedule your scan.
If you have any questions, please discuss with your doctor or contact the centre before your appointment.
As pre-scan preparations will vary by the scan needed, please check with us when making your appointment or with your consulting doctor.
PET-CT scans are non-invasive and painless procedures that typically do not require a support person to attend the appointment with you. However, if you do require sedation for your scan, you will need to be accompanied by a family member for your safety.
The small amounts of radiation that you will be exposed to during these scans have not been shown to cause harm. However, for children or patients that require multiple PET-CT scans there may be a slight increase in the risk of cancer in the future.
If you are concerned, please with your doctor about your personal health history and the number of scans you have had previously. This will help them decide the safest option for you.
- Please do not eat or drink anything besides plain water for six (6) hours before your appointment.
- Do not smoke on the day of your scan.
- Bring any previous x-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI films along with blood test, biopsy reports, and medication list.
- Please do not exercise or engage in any strenuous activity (including massage) 24 hours prior to your appointment.
- Excluding diabetic medicines, no change to medication is required.
- For Diabetic patients, please do not take oral diabetic medication or insulin injections on the day of the scan. Do bring the medication along with you to the appointment.
- Diabetic patients should also arrive to our centre 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment to have their blood sugar checked.
- You can expect to be at our centre for approximately three (3) to four (4) hours.
- If you need to reschedule, please inform the centre at least 48 hours in advance.
- If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, please notify our staff before your appointment.
Our PET/CT can be used to detect and diagnose many disorders, including cancer. The scan is effective in helping to plan treatment for surgery and radiotherapy and monitoring the response.
In some cases, PET/CT is also used for other conditions, including certain neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, when clinically appropriate.
Unlike CT or MRI scans, which mainly show structural changes, PET/CT shows both structure and function. This means it can detect cellular changes early, sometimes before anatomical changes become visible on other imaging tests.
The tracer is a small amount of radioactive material that helps highlight areas of abnormal activity in your body. The PET scanner detects this activity, allowing doctors to see how your tissues and organs are functioning.
Most commonly, the tracer is administered through a small injection into a vein.
The tracer is safe, uses only a tiny amount of radioactivity, and naturally leaves your body within about 24 hours.
No, the scan itself is painless. The only minor discomfort is the insertion of the IV cannula for the tracer injection. If CT contrast is also used, you might feel a warm flush or metallic taste for a few seconds - this is normal.
Side effects are extremely rare. The tracer leaves your body naturally, and you can resume your normal activities after the scan. If you are breastfeeding, you will be asked to express and bottle-feed for a short time to minimise radiation exposure to your baby.

Why choose Icon for PET/CT?

At Icon, we combine advanced PET/CT technology with the expertise of nuclear medicine physicians and radiation oncologists who focus on cancer imaging.

We’re here to: