Lung Cancer

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

• Early detection of disease

  "We use PET for almost every patient we see with a solitary lung nodule. If the mass lights up on PET, then there is a 90% chance that it is cancer. If the mass does not light up on PET, then there is less than a 5% chance that it could be malignant."

  Robert J. McKenna, M.D.
  Clinical Chief, Section of Thoracic Surgery
  Cedars Sinai Medical Center

• Precise Staging of Disease Progression

  "PET adds tremendous value in terms of recommending or not recommending a definite surgical procedure."

  Zab Mohsenifar, M.D.
  Chair, Department of Pulmonary Medicine
  Cedars Sinai Medical Center

• Accurate Assessment of Therapy

  "PET definitely helps direct when we can continue therapy, when we can stop therapy, and what other therapeutic interventions should be considered."

  Solomon Hamburg, M.D., Ph.D.
  Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
  UCLA Medical School

Providing the patient with an accurate diagnosis and making the right treatment recommendations are the top priorities for any physician treating a cancer patient. PET helps them do that with greater certainty and comfort, and does it through a non-invasive imaging procedure. With the extra information provided by a PET scan, the physician can help the patient avoid unnecessary treatment, pain and suffering.

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