Let me start by telling you what is this actually

PET/CT

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
– A PET scan demonstrates the biological function of the body before anatomical changes take place. A diagnostic examination that involves the acquisition of physiologic images based on the detection of radiation from the emission of positrons. Positrons are tiny particles emitted from a radioactive substance administered to the patient.
CT (Computed Tomography)
– CT scan provides information about the body’s anatomy such as size, shape and location

By combining these two scanning technologies, a PET/CT scan enables physicians to more accurately diagnose and identify cancer, heart disease and brain disorders. The PET exam pinpoints increased metabolic activity in cells and the CT exam provides an anatomical reference.

A radioactive substance is produced in a machine called a cyclotron and attached, or tagged, to a natural body compound, most commonly glucose, but sometimes water or ammonia.

It can be used as a diagnostic tool in oncology, neurology and cardiology.

In oncology, PET imaging provides a whole body, 3-dimensional image of how the patient has metabolized an injected radioactive tracer, fluorine-18 (FDG), a version of glucose (sugar). Malignant tissues will metabolize glucose at a rate frequently more than 20 times the rate that glucose is metabolized in other normal tissues. Each molecule of radioactivity is given a specific numeric value. With one scan, a radiologist can identify the primary site, determine the extent of disease (staging) and if it has spread (metastases).Therefore it can be used as a method to diagnose and stage cancer, check for tumor recurrence and monitor cancer therapy.
Using the same radioactive tracer, the PETCT can used to diagnose and manage brain diseases such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease and determine whether damaged heart muscle can recover following coronary artery surgery or to evaluate the amount of viable heart tissue prior to considering a heart transplant. PET can be an alternative to invasive tests such as cardiac catheterization.

CYCLOTRON
A cyclotron is a particle accelerator that is so compact that a small one could actually fit in your pocket. It makes use of electric and magnetic fields in a clever way to accelerate a charge in a small space.The first cyclotron was built by Ernest Orlando Lawrence and his graduate student, M. Stanley Livingston, at the University of California, Berkley, in the early 1930′s.

Okay now the news!

We have just officiated a PET/CT facility in Putrajaya Hospital on the 7th November 2006. There is another in Penang Hospital if I am not mistaken. Well this was supposed to be in Kuala Lumpur Hospital but with the ministry’s intention to make Putrajaya Hospital a National Cancer Institute, so it was placed there. They will also supply Penang Hospital with the radioactive tracer which before this was imported from Singapore if my sources were correct.

This is the first phase of the ministry to materialize the National Cancer Institute. Another mega plan without any thought for public convenience. And of course with the “beloved” JPA and the difficult promotions and unsettled dissatisfaction among doctors especially specialist this great project may just become another white elephant. I am not saying that building such a centre is bad, infact it is very much needed but typical of Malaysia nobody thinks of the future and maintenance. Selayang Hospital itself is a good example of poor insight to maintainance. I will write further on this next time.