The Proton Center in Prague offers selected diagnostic tests: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT). We perform examinations not only for cancer patients of the Proton Center, but also for all other patients for whom the attending physician issues a request form.
Appointment scheduling periods are short, ranging from 3 to 4 weeks. We will be happy to call you if an earlier appointment becomes available.
To schedule a patient for a PET/CT scan appointment, i.e. a positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan, please call +420 222 999 046. Then send the completed request form to the following e-mail: zadanky@ptc.cz. By reserving a slot and e-mailing the request form in advance, you will simplify and speed up the appointment scheduling process.
We can also perform high-quality scans under general anaesthesia for paediatric patients as well as for adult patients with specific problems (claustrophobia).
· Patient information for a PET/CT scan (downloadable PDF)
We have prepared basic information about PET/CT scanning for your patients to ease their fears and worries.
· Patient’s informed consent for PET/CT scanning (downloadable)
The patient can read the informed consent for PET/CT scanning in the comfort of their own home. The patient can only fill it out and sign it when he/she visits the Proton Center.
A PET/CT scan is a nuclear medicine method of diagnostic imaging. This method is used primarily for diagnosing cancer or inflammation and employs fused or combined functional (metabolic) and anatomical (morphological) images.
PET/CT scanning is among the most advanced imaging methods. It combines the advantages of a metabolic examination (PET) and structural imaging (CT). This is also called hybrid imaging. This
makes it possible to determine the exact anatomical localisation of the pathological finding while also clarifying structural changes. It significantly improves the usefulness of both of the methods. Carrying out both examinations at the same time simplifies an often lengthy, demanding process for patients.
A hybrid PET/CT scanner, i.e. positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography, combines the advantages of metabolic imaging (PET) and structural imaging (CT). Its relatively short and extra-wide gantry or “tunnel” with a diameter of 78 cm and an examination table with a capacity of up to 227 kg allows not only the examination of patients with large stature and those sensitive to confined spaces, but also examinations with various radiotherapy planning aids. Thanks to the high efficiency of imaging, we can reduce the applied activity of the radiopharmaceutical, and thus, as a result, the radiation burden of patients. The machine is also equipped with an algorithm for suppressing metallic artefacts, e.g. around joint replacements.
To produce a metabolic image, it is necessary to intravenously administer special radioactive substances, called radiopharmaceuticals (most often F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and F-choline (FCH)). The administered radioactive substances are rapidly excreted from the patient’s body via urine, do not cause allergic reactions, and do not restrict driving motor vehicles.
FDG is a glucose analogue that tends to accumulate in tissues with a high demand for glucose, such as tumours and inflammatory cells.
Indications for PET/CT are as follows:
Differential diagnosis of benign and malignant focal lesions, search for an unknown primary malignant focus, determination of the cancer extent, monitoring the effects of therapy, diagnosis of cancer recurrence, planning of the extent of radiotherapy, detection of inflammatory foci.
18F-FMISO is used to demonstrate ischemia in the tumour, which is particularly important for the treatment modality, as well as to estimate the prognosis of the disease.
At present, the main indications include:
Indications for PET/CT are as follows:
Prostate cancer, localisation of adenoma or hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands when primary hyperparathyroidism is suspected.
Indications for PET/CT are as follows: Detection of prostate cancer recurrence.
The morphological image is obtained using a full CT scan with the application of an iodine contrast (unless contraindicated). The examination is time-consuming, it takes approximately 3 hours because it is typically used to scan large areas of the body (it is called a whole-body scan).
