PET/CT scan gains headway in fighting the ‘Big C’

The raging human plague called "Big C" or cancer may soon find its match in the advances being made in molecular imaging technology like the PET/CT Scanner.

This neaw device, which uses state-of-the-art technology, enables doctors to locate cancer cells more accurately and precisely inside the human body at the earliest possible time, thus offering a better chance for cure.

This is what Dr. Barry Alan Siegel, a noted American nuclear medicine expert and perennial "Best Doctors in America" and "America’s Top Doctors" listee, revealed as he enlightened his audience about the latest trend in molecular imaging technology in medicine during his lecture entitled "The Next Step in Molecular Imaging – PET/CT Scanner" at the St. Luke’s Medical Center recently.

Siegel discussed the significant benefits of the new molecular scanning technology in the detection, assessment and management of some of the most prevalent diseases today like breast, lung and colorectal cancers as well as lymphoma, cancer of unknown primary gynecologic malignancies and differentiated thyroid cancer.

PET or positron emission tomography and CT or computed tomography is fast becoming a popular modality in dealing with cancer and other diseases owing to their high accuracy, reliability and non-invasive way of detecting the origins of the disease.

Over the years, there is a significant increase in the use of this modality, resulting in more treatment and therapy successes in patients.

Siegel made his lecture more interesting and lively by bringing specific case studies and exercises, which the participants actively assessed and evaluated.

Doctors, radiologists and medical specialists in the field of oncology, OB-GYN, neurology and other fields of interest attended the lecture.

They were welcomed by SLMC medical director Dr. Joven Cuanang, in his opening remarks.

Dr. Jonas Santiago, SLMC PET Center head, for his part, briefed them about the experience and usage statistics of PET at St. Luke’s.