Cancer Screening (PET-CT Scan For Health Checkup And Early Diagnosis)

· Those in Goyang, South Korea interested to screen for cancer.
· Those with concerns regarding cancer.
· Those with the record of poor candidates for surgeries.
· Those who want to have an early diagnosis of cancer.
· Those who want to try a different treatment to cure cancer.

Cancer Screening at our affiliated clinic includes a PET-CT process for the brain and whole body, gastroscopy, and colonoscopy.

PET or Positron Emission Tomography is a type of nuclear medicine imaging. PET scan measures important body functions such as oxygen use, blood flow, glucose metabolism, etc. This measurement equipped the doctors in evaluating the organs and tissue performance.

CT or Computed Tomography is used to produce multiple images inside the body and provide excellent anatomic information.

Today, most of the PET scans are superimposed with CT using radiotracers to provide more accurate and comprehensive information on the abnormal activity and function of cells.

Gastroscopy is actually an examination of your stomach and it aims to confirm or rule out the presence of medical conditions like stomach ulcers or gastritis. Gastroscopy can sometimes be used to widen a narrowed esophagus that causes pain or swallowing difficulties. These kinds of conditions may be caused by GORD, oesophageal cancer, or radiotherapy to the esophagus.

Advanced technology has evolved to provide a very clear image of your mucosa through a video camera attached at the end of the thin and flexible tube. This test, known as a colonoscopy, enables visual examination of the entire large bowel area from the distal rectum to the cecum.

If necessary, removal of polyps or other types of abnormalities can be done through the scope during treatment.

1. Lie down position of the examination table
2. Insert IV Catheter if necessary
3. Radiotracer dose injected into the vein
4. Rest quietly while radiotracer travels through your body for about 1 hr
5. Drink contrast material to localize the intestines
6. Begin the imaging into the PET/CT scan
7. Sedation or local anesthesia will be applied prior to gastroscopy and colonoscopy
8. A thin flexible tube will be used to look up inside esophagus
9. Live imaging will be observed with the endoscope which is equipped with light

<Advantages>
· Safe procedure
· Effective tools
· Measures body functions
· Provides detailed anatomic information
· Treats various gastrointestinal disorders
· Minimizes morbidity and mortality

<Limitations>
· Possible risks like infection, bleeding and reaction to sedation

Q1: Is gastroscopy the same as endoscopy?
A1: Both use the same instruments and can be enhanced with ultrasound to produce images. However, endoscopy will usually require general anesthesia while gastroscopy only require local anesthesia or sedation.

Q2: How often should I have gastroscopy?
A2: If the first screening is negative, recurrent periodic gastroscopy is not necessary. However, if the results might turn positive for Barrett's esophagus, it is recommended that you have gastroscopy every 3 to 5 years.

Q3: Will there be any restrictions?
A3: Over the period of 24 to 48 hrs after treatment, only eat small meals that consist of soft and easily digestible food like soups, eggs, puddings and etc.

Q4: Is it normal to feel sick after treatment?
A4: You may have caught on a sore throat or stomach discomfort a few hrs after. Or you may feel bloated but this often subsides quickly.

Q5: I am 38 years old and if my mother had passed away due to colon cancer when she was 50, should I start to go for colonoscopy now?
A5: Since you are a first-degree relative to your mother who had colon cancer at age 50, you should start screening 20 to 10 years younger than her age. Now is also a good age to go for screening.

Q6: Is it possible to check whether the polyp is cancerous or benign?
A6: Usually polyps are common and benign. However, if any tests are necessary, biopsies of polyps will be sent to determine whether they are cancerous or not.

[Clinic Name] Dongguk University Ilsan Medical Centre
[Location] Goyang, South Korea
[Nearest Stations / Attractions] Clinic is 20 mins drive from the city center of Seoul and about 8 mins walk from Daehan Theater.
[Clinic Opening Time] 24 hrs