Thank you for visiting petscan.ca
The Vancouver Petscan Centre was the first in Canada, with the goal of establishing clinics in other metropolitan areas of Canada. It was closed in 2007 due to rezoning and residential construction at the University of British Columbia
The new clinic was opened in July 2010 and is performing quickly accessible cancer diagnostics, with a Siemens Biograph 16 PET-CT scanner, the most advanced metabolic imaging available. Please click on the "Centre for Advanced Diagnostics" to view the new site.
Rapid answers for patients and their doctors:
What is a PET Scan?
A whole-body PET scan provides information about the body’s chemistry and cell function (metabolism) rather than pictures of the body’s anatomy or structure as shown by X-ray, ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI. As a result, PET scans may reveal abnormalities or tumours that would otherwise go undetected. In more situations than with any other imaging modality, a PET scan is key to the early detection and accurate treatment of cancer.
The Benefits of PET
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Often replaces multiple medical testing procedures with a single exam, while producing imaging information of superior quality.
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May validate and/or alter patient management and care.
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May reduce or eliminate ineffective and unnecessary surgical or other medical treatments and hospitalization.
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May reduce significantly overall healthcare costs and avoids needless pain to the patient.
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It is done in about 2-1/2 to 3 hours and provides interpretation virtually immediately.
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Your will leave with your images and your physician will have a typed report the following day.
Benefits in Oncology
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Detects tumours early and accurately.
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Assesses tumour aggressiveness and monitors success of therapy.
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Determines whether a suspicious site is benign or malignant.
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Scans the whole body for detecting spread of cancer (metastasis).