FES PET-CT for Breast Cancer

An FES PET-CT uses a radiotracer and an imaging machine to find cancer in your body. The radiotracer for FES PET-CT is called Fluoroestradiol F18 (FES) and is also known as Cerianna^TM. If you have been scheduled for an FES PET-CT, your doctor may want to:

• determine whether breast cancer has spread to your lymph nodes.
• determine whether breast cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
• check to see whether your cancer treatment is working.

Before Your FES PET-CT

• Drink between 32 and 64 ounces of water two hours before your appointment.
• Certain classes of drugs may interfere with the exam, such as Tamoxifen (Nolvadex®or Soltamox®) and Fulvestrant (Faslodex®). Please notify your provider of any medications you are taking.
• If you are on a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), be aware that we will need to remove it for the exam. Please plan accordingly.
• If you are anxious or claustrophobic, speak to your referring physician about taking an anti-anxiety medication on the day of your appointment. We are unable to prescribe and administer medication for this exam.
• Avoid breast feeding for four hours before your appointment.

On the Day of Your FES PET-CT

You will have a CT scan at the same time as your PET scan. A CT scan is a fast series of X-ray pictures. The CT pictures are combined with your PET scan to create pictures of your soft tissues and bones.

• Check in for your appointment on the Connect patient portal. You may also check in when you arrive at the imaging center.
• Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment. Leave your jewelry and valuables at home. Do not wear clothes that contain metal, such as hooks, buckles, or wires.
• When you arrive for your appointment, a healthcare provider will explain the procedure and answer your questions.
• You will be given a radiotracer through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm.
• You will be asked to wait in the room for about 40 minutes. You can sleep, bring music to listen to, or watch videos on your personal device.
• Next, we will ask you to lie on a narrow, padded table that slides into the scanner. The technologist will leave the room, but they will be able to see, hear, and speak with you at all times.
• During the scan you will need to lie very still because movement can affect the results.
• The scan itself will take about 30 minutes. The entire process will take about two hours.

After Your FES PET-CT

Most people can return to their normal activities immediately after a PET-CT.

A very small amount of radioactive sugar will remain in your body, so be sure to drink plenty of water to help flush it out of your system.

If you are breastfeeding, stop for 12 hours after your scan. During this time, you can continue to pump milk and either throw it away or store it for 12 hours. After 24 hours, you can feed it to your baby. You can restart breastfeeding 12 hours after your scan.

Risks

This is a diagnostic test, not a therapy. Doctors have used radiotracers to diagnose disease for more than 50 years, and there are no known long-term adverse effects of these procedures. Rarely, the radiotracer causes an allergic reaction.

Results

A board-certified doctor will review and compare your PET-CT scan with your other imaging tests and write up a detailed report. We will share the results with the doctor who requested the exam. Your doctor will then discuss the results with you.

How to Access Your Images

You can view, download, or share your exams through your Connect patient portal. 

Once you are logged in, select “View Radiology Images” from the menu. A new web browser window will open to display a list of your exams.

Questions About Your Exam?

If you have questions or concerns before your FES PET-CT exam, you may contact us directly at: 212-342-2899.