SPECT/CT

SPECT/CT (SPECT=single photon emission computed tomography) imaging is used to measure some body functions and can be used to detect cancer.  Patients are injected with a small amount of radioactiveSome elements (atoms) are not stable. The breakdown of these elements leads to the release of energy that is called radiation. The form of the energy (radiation) may differ between different unstable elements. Radiation from the breakdown of radioactive elements is damaging to cells and their genes. Cancer cells do not respond in a normal fashion to DNA damage and may be sensitive to killing by the radiation emitted from radioactive elements. material and then have to lie in a machine that captures the gamma ray emissions from the material.  The images that are created represent thin 'slices' through the body.  Computer software is then used to combine the slices to make a virtual three dimensional model that can be viewed from any angle.  SPECT can be used in combination with other imaging techniques (MRIAlso: nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a non-invasive imaging procedure that utilizes strong magnets and radio waves to visualize tissues. Subtle differences in the ways that the tissues and organs absorb and reflect the waves enable the detection of many different disorders., PET, etc.) to get additional details of the patient's status.1, 2

SPECT can be used to locate cancer, and monitor blood flow and brain activity.3, 4, 5  Research into the use of SPECT for different cancer types is ongoing.  One possible benefit of SPECT is a higher sensitivity in the detection of cancer in specific cancer types and patient populations. For example, in one study, SPECT showed a better detection rate of sentinel nodes in breast cancer, specifically in obese patients.6