Clearer Answers with PET-CT at Hospital Picaso

When someone you care about is facing a health scare, especially something as serious as cancer — you want answers. Not just quick ones, but clear and trusted ones. At Hospital Picaso, we understand that behind every scan is a family waiting, hoping, and making decisions.

That is why we offer PET-CT scans, a powerful imaging tool that helps our doctors see not just what is inside the body, but how it is working. It gives us the clarity to act early, and the confidence to guide each person toward the best possible care.

What is a PET-CT Scan?

A PET-CT scan is gentle, non-invasive, and typically completed in under an hour. It begins with a small injection of a safe tracer — like a tiny spotlight that travels through the body, lighting up areas that may need a closer look.

The scan combines:

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) – which shows how organs and tissues are functioning.
CT (Computed Tomography) – which shows the body’s structure in sharp detail.

Together, these two views give us a more complete picture. For you or your loved one, that means fewer unanswered questions, more personalised care, and a smoother path forward.

When Might a PET-CT Be Recommended?

Your doctor may suggest a PET-CT scan to:

Find cancer early, before it causes symptoms
Check if it has spread, so treatment can be more targeted
Plan surgery or radiotherapy, with greater precision
Track how well treatment is working, so we can adjust if needed
Better understand brain conditions, such as dementia or brain tumours

At Hospital Picaso, we don’t just read scans — we listen, we care, and we walk the journey with you. Whether it is for you or someone you love, we are here to provide the answers you need and the care you deserve.

Seeing What Matters: How Different PET-CT Scans Help Us Understand Your Cancer Better

Every cancer is different — it grows in its own way, behaves differently in the body, and responds differently to treatment. That is why we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach.

At Hospital Picaso, we use the same PET-CT scanner for everyone — but we use different types of tracers (tiny amounts of safe, radioactive substances) depending on what we are looking for.

These tracers act like special guides that travel through your body and light up specific kinds of cells or activity. Choosing the right one helps our doctors get the clearest possible picture, so we can detect the cancer early, understand how serious it is, and monitor how well treatment is working.

Here is how we tailor your scan to your needs:

1. FDG PET-CT: A Broad Look at Cancer Activity

This is the most commonly used PET-CT scan for many types of cancer. FDG acts like sugar in the body — and since cancer cells use more energy, they light up brightly on the scan. It helps us:

Find where the cancer is
See if it is spreading
Check if treatment is working Now with optional contrast for sharper, clearer images of organs and lymph nodes.

2. PSMA PET-CT: Focused on Prostate Cancer

For men with prostate cancer, we use a tracer that attaches to a protein found mostly in prostate cancer cells. This scan:

Finds cancer that may not show up on regular scans
Helps plan targeted treatments
Tracks response more accurately over time

3. DOTATATE PET-CT: For Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs)

Neuroendocrine tumours are a rare group of cancers that behave differently. We use a tracer that binds to specific receptors on these tumour cells. This scan:

Locates these slow-growing tumours
Shows how active they are
Supports long-term treatment planning and monitoring

4. FAPI PET-CT: A New Way to See Hidden Cancers

Some cancers are surrounded by scar-like or fibrous tissue, which can hide them from traditional scans. The FAPI tracer targets this tissue, making these hard-to-detect cancers easier to find. This scan:

Offers new hope for detecting complex or advanced tumours
Helps refine treatment plans where other scans may fall short

Personalised Imaging, Thoughtfully Done

At Hospital Picaso, every PET-CT scan is tailored with care. We choose the tracer that gives you the best chance at early detection, accurate diagnosis, and a treatment plan built just for you.

PET-CT scan at our Cancer Centre is more than just a scan. It is part of a bigger commitment — to see you clearly, treat you personally, and walk beside you every step of the way. With our team of experienced doctors and in-house imaging, we can move quickly from questions to answers, and from diagnosis to care.

About Hospital Picaso

Hospital Picaso, short for PJ Integrated Centre of Advanced Surgery and Oncology, is a premier cancer centre located in the heart of Petaling Jaya offering a full spectrum of advanced cancer treatment. As a leading centre for advanced surgery and integrated oncology in Malaysia, we are committed to delivering personalised medical solutions tailored to each patient’s journey.

Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including robotic operating theatres and specialised therapy centres, and supported by a team of dedicated multidisciplinary team, we are here to keep hope alive. At Hospital Picaso, we believe that recovery is a fight worth winning — and no one should have to face it alone.