Oklahoma P.E.T. Center

The P.E.T. Center at Deaconess was the first in the state to offer the power of molecular imaging via dedicated Position Emission Tomography (P.E.T.). This allows physicians to diagnose and determine the extent of various cancers including breast, lung, colon, prostate, musculoskeletal, head and neck, ovarian, pancreatic, thyroid cancers, melanoma and lymphoma. Nuclear P.E.T. scan obtains images of metabolic/physiologic processes which shows organ function vs. organ structure as in other image technologies. Oncologic studies account for 80 percent of all P.E.T. scans, which include two imaging areas for the P.E.T. scan and a three-head nuclear (SPECT) gamma camera. The center also has an image co-registration laboratory which can fuse images from CT and MRI to P.E.T. and SPECT scan thus providing useful information about the exact location of the disease.

This very sophisticated technology allows for improved accuracy in staging certain cancers potentially leading to improved treatment and management of these cancers. George Chacko, MD, a radiologist, board certified in nuclear medicine, opened the Oklahoma P.E.T. Center in 1998.