A PET Scan, is simple terms, an imaging technique used to detect diseases. Not only does it detect the disease, it can also inform your doctor about its size, location, and severity. PET stands for positron emission tomography. PET Scans are most commonly used to detect cancers.
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How does a PET Scan work?
For this post, we will assume that the PET scan is being used to find cancer cells. How do you find cancer cells? The biggest characteristic of cancer cells is that they are hyperactive in metabolism. In other words, cancer cells need a lot of energy for metabolism, so they consume a lot of sugar (glucose).
In order to take advantage of the glucose consumption, we will need to inject an undercover detective (FDG) to find cancer cells. FDG is a proton-emitting glucose that has the appearance of normal glucose. Cancer cells crave glucose, and as they consuming the newly introduced ‘special glucose’, a proton signal will be released. The PET Scan captures the signal, revealing the location of where the cancer cells are hiding.
Why is such a useful tool unfamiliar to us?
- It was introduced to the market quite recently. It first appeared in the market in 2001 and the beginning of the major distribution was 2004.
- The test used to be very expensive! When it first appeared, the PET scan cost almost 10,000 USD.
Who is a suitable candidate for the PET Scan?
- People who want to diagnose cancer due to personal reasons (i.e. they are genetically predisposed). PET Scan is an effective way to diagnose cancer early.
- People who already have cancer and are worried about metastatic cancer.
Where can I get a PET Scan?
Have you decided to have a PET scan now? Then, it’s time to find a hospital where the equipment is well managed and maintained. These would include countries like the USA, Japan and Korea.
In Korea, a PET Scan is almost always combined with a CT scan. These scans are called PET-CT scans. In this case, both of the scans are done at one time. When combined, PET-CT scan is one of the best and most accurate ways to detect cancer in its very early stages. Here is a quick description of the average prices you would need to pay to get a PET-CT scan in the three countries mentioned above.
- USA – 5,750 USD
- Japan – 2,385 USD
- Korea – 910 USD
Our recommendation is to have the scan done at a hospital in Korea. There are three reasons for this:
- Comprehensive health checkups are included
- Cost of the PET-CT Scan is reasonable, and in fact much cheaper when compared to other developed markets
- Korean clinics are efficiently managed, which will result in minimum waiting time
Interested in getting a PET-CT Scan done in Korea, but not sure how to do so?
Here’s where we come in. At Jivaka Care, we identify licensed and reputable clinics with English-speaking doctors and staff. We deploy designated Care Planner responsible for taking care of you and your treatment process from start to end. With Jivaka Care, foreigners can look forward to a seamless healthcare and aesthetic treatment experience.
If you need any guidance or healthcare related advice in Korea, message us on Kakaotalk and our website, or contact us via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages!
