PET-CT for cervical cancer: what to know

The PET part uses a small amount of FDG, a radiotracer taken up by many active cells. The CT part shows the body's structures and helps locate areas of uptake. Together, the images can support staging, treatment planning, or assessment after treatment. Uptake is not a diagnosis by itself: inflammation and other non-cancerous changes can also appear active. A biopsy or other findings may still be needed.

Follow the imaging centre's instructions about fasting, medicines, diabetes, and activity. Tell the team if you might be pregnant, are breastfeeding, or have difficulty lying still. You may have a blood glucose check, receive the tracer through a vein, rest quietly while it circulates, and then lie on the scanner table. Keep still during image capture and drink fluids afterwards if advised. A cervical screening test or colposcopy answers different questions and is not replaced by PET-CT.

Contact your oncology team promptly about new heavy vaginal bleeding, severe pelvic pain, fainting, fever, or sudden weakness. Bleeding between periods has many possible causes, so it does not by itself establish cervical cancer. After the scan, seek urgent help for trouble breathing, facial swelling, or rapidly worsening symptoms.

Ask why PET-CT is recommended now, which body areas will be assessed, whether you need another test to confirm a finding, and when the report will affect your treatment plan. You can also ask how results may relate to surgery, radiotherapy, or brachytherapy.