Mobile PET Scan
For the first time in Iraq and with the support of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, a mobile PET scan device will soon be launched to support the largest early cancer detection campaign in Iraq. Warith International Cancer Institute (WICI) is distinguished by providing the best patient care with the availability of PET scanning, which is positron emission tomography (PET SCAN).
This test uses a special dye containing radioactive tracers called FDG. Importing this substance is challenging because it can lose its radioactivity over time. Therefore, the Warith International Cancer Institute (WICI) has ensured the production of this substance within the hospital using a cyclotron device. These tracers are administered via injection into a vein in the arm 45 minutes before the scan, depending on the part of the body being examined. Certain organs and tissues absorb these tracers. When these radioactive tracers are detected by a PET scanner, they help the doctor see how well the organs and tissues are. Patients are required to fast for 4 to 5 hours before the test.
The Importance of the PET Scan Device:
1. The PET scan device detects blood flow, oxygen consumption, and metabolic processes in organs and tissues. PET scans reveal issues at the cellular level, providing your doctor with the best view of complex diseases.
2. PET scans are commonly used to detect cancer, heart problems, and brain disorders, including issues with the central nervous system. The device includes computed tomography (CT) technology, which uses special X-rays to produce images of cells. By combining these two technologies, it provides a three-dimensional image that helps identify tumor locations and other conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease.
3. Cancer cells have a higher metabolic rate than non-cancerous cells. Due to this high level of chemical activity, cancer cells often appear as bright spots in PET scans. For this reason, PET scans are useful for detecting cancer and to:
• Find out whether the cancer has spread.
• Find out how effective cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, is.
• Check for cancer recurrence.
Mobile PET Scanner:
The Warith International Cancer Institute (WICI), the leading institution in Iraq for cancer treatment, prioritizes patient comfort. Since many patients cannot bear the difficulties of traveling to healthcare facilities, the Warith Institute decided to bring healthcare services to them to ensure their health. The Institute contracted to bring in a digital mobile PET scanner, the latest technology for detecting various types of tumors. With this device, healthcare providers can visit patients' homes and take care of their health directly.