PET+scans

PET Scans for Pancreatic Cancer Dangers- radiation from gamma rays (not suggested repeatedly). Reminder: this diagnostic test is to look at abnormal function, not abnormal anatomy like in CT scans and etc.

Sensitivity- 231 patients in a study, avg 90.3% Sensitivity. In another study (109 patients) I researched, sensitivity was 91%.

Specificity- 231 patients in a study, avg 81.2 specificity. In another study (109 patients), specificity was 87%.

Accuracy- avg 87.3 accuracy in 231 patients, no accuracy given in the other study.

PPV- neither studies that were most relevant in my searches had PPV values, but I think with the data I have above, it’s easy to see why PET scans should be selected as our recommendation for pancreatic cancer screening.

Cost- PET scans range from $3,000-$6,000 and are NOT covered by medicare. What poor, old person wants to pay out of pocket for a PET scan that isn’t even 100% in screening for a disease they might not even have?!

Degree of Complication- There’s not much invasiveness that goes along with a PET scan other than gamma rays [small amounts] however the trick is figuring out when the FDG [glucose injection] has made its way to the point it will be helpful in the screening. The FDG finds cells that are metabolically active and highlights their functions as you scan. It can take up to 2 or 3 hours for these FDG to make it to the pancreas, which wastes a lot of time for both patient and physician.

Impact Factor- I seriously looked for this but I couldn’t find it anywhere! Help?

Sidenote: My friend sent me this presentation his friend had from when she was in Biomed. I think it'd be an interesting thing to look at and check through. Apparently she got a good grade!