What should you know about an FDG whole-body PET scan?

The tracer FDG behaves like a glucose substitute. Areas using more glucose may stand out on PET, while CT shows their size and position. A whole-body study can help the team compare activity in several regions during one planned examination, such as the chest, abdomen, pelvis and other areas included in the protocol. Bright activity is not automatically cancer: healing, infection, inflammation and normal organ activity can have similar appearances.

The report may help with locating a suspected primary tumour, evaluating lymph nodes, assessing known lymphoma or looking for disease outside the original region. A radiologist or nuclear medicine specialist combines the images with your history and other results.

Use the centre’s instructions about fasting, drinking water, medicines and diabetes. Mention pregnancy, breastfeeding, recent illness and any difficulty staying still. After injection, you usually rest quietly so the tracer can distribute. Keep warm and avoid unnecessary movement if instructed. During the scan, lie still as the table moves through the scanner; tell the technologist if you are uncomfortable.

Plan enough time for preparation, tracer distribution and imaging. Unless your team gives different advice, ask about fluids after the examination and follow their instructions for returning to routine activities.

Before scanning, call the centre if you cannot follow the fasting plan or need advice about diabetes treatment. During the visit, report light-headedness, pain or swelling around the injection, itching, rash or breathing trouble. Get urgent medical help for severe breathing difficulty, throat or facial swelling, or fainting. If you feel unwell after leaving, contact the service that performed the scan and describe when the symptom began.

Ask which body areas are included, what question the scan is intended to answer, how your medicines should be handled, and when results will be reviewed. Ask how an area of increased activity will be checked if the images do not give a clear explanation.