Baldwin County residents have access to the latest technology for cancer detection through PET imaging services at Thomas Hospital.

On the cutting edge of cancer technology, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan detects tumors earlier, allowing doctors to begin treatment earlier. PET Scans can also show if current treatment is working and is a very powerful tool for staging the progression or the return of disease. With this knowledge, doctors can make decisions regarding further treatment.

The PET Scan procedure is noninvasive and can eliminate the need for other, more invasive procedures. It also differentiates between malignant and nonmalignant tumors and accurately assesses the location and the stage of malignant disease.

Applications in Oncology:
     •Lung Cancer
     • Breast Cancer
     • Recurrent Colorectal Cancer
     • Tumor-Therapy Monitoring

The benefits of PET:
     • Staging, Characterization, and Recurrence of Disease
     • Earlier diagnosis
     • Monitoring of therapeutic efficiency
     • Elimination of invasive procedures
     • Replacement of multiple tests
     • Pre-surgical assessment
     • Identification of distant metastases

Instead of detecting changes in the physical size or structure of internal organs, as other traditional imaging technologies do, PET detects changes in the cellular function. Since these functional changes take place before physical changes occur, PET enables the physician to make an earlier diagnosis and begin treatment earlier, or determine if current treatment is working effectively.

To schedule a PET Scan call 251.279.1042.