Colorectal Cancer

Oncology (cancer) experts encourage PET scans for potential colorectal cancer patients, and cite these important reasons:

• Earlier and Easier Detection of Disease

  "PET helps us avoid unnecessary surgery, false negative imaging or multiple biopsies."

  J. Nicolas Vauthey, M.D.
  Chief of Liver Service, Dept. of Surgical Oncology
  University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

• Precise Staging of Disease Progression

  "PET helps detect disease that conventional scanning may not... and can help determine if there is a malignant process in effect, in areas where CT can’t."

  Robert A. Wolff, M.D.
  Assistant Professor of Medicine, Dept. of GI Medical Oncology
  University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

• Accurate Assessment of Therapy

  "The ability of PET to assess response to treatment provides an incremental advantage over traditional imaging methods such as CT alone."

  Homer Macapinlac, M.D.
  Chief of the Section of Positron Emission Tomography
  University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

PET’s ability to more accurately assess the presence or absence of cancer, and give physicians the information needed to make the best treatment decisions, provides patients with the optimum support and information to get them through a difficult time.

Ask your doctor or oncologist for more information about PET scans and their usage.