PET Scan in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an advanced medical imaging test that shows how organs and tissues are working, not just what they look like. In Grand Rapids, MI, PET and PET/CT scans are commonly used to evaluate:

  • Cancer
  • Neurological (brain) conditions
  • Cardiovascular (heart‑related) disease

PET scans in Grand Rapids are typically performed in hospital-based imaging centers and specialized outpatient facilities, often by a nuclear medicine technologist working under the supervision of a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist.

You can find PET scan services at major Grand Rapids health systems, including:

  • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) in downtown Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health–affiliated clinics and imaging centers

How a PET Scan Works

A PET scan uses a small amount of a radioactive substance (called a radiopharmaceutical or tracer) to create detailed images of how your body is functioning.

  1. Injection of tracer

    • A small, painless injection of a “positron-emitting��� radiopharmaceutical is given, usually into a vein in your arm.
    • This tracer travels through your bloodstream and collects in specific organs or tissues.

  2. Imaging with a PET or PET/CT scanner

    • The PET scanner detects the energy (gamma rays) emitted by the tracer.
    • A computer converts this information into 2D and 3D images of the area being examined.
    • Areas where the tracer collects more (for example, fast-growing cancer cells) appear brighter than normal tissues.

  3. Combined PET/CT scans in Grand Rapids
    Almost all modern PET scanners in Grand Rapids are PET/CT machines. This means:

    • The CT scan provides detailed structural images.
    • The PET scan shows how tissues are functioning.
    • The images are fused together, helping doctors pinpoint exactly where abnormal activity is happening and improving diagnostic accuracy.

You lie on one bed and pass through both the PET and CT components in the same position.

What PET Scans Are Used For in Grand Rapids

1. Cancer Detection and Monitoring

Oncology is one of the most common reasons for PET scans in West Michigan. PET scans can:

  • Detect many types of cancer
  • Show whether cancer has spread (metastasized) to lymph nodes or other organs
  • Help determine cancer stage
  • Distinguish between:
    • Active tumor vs. scar tissue
    • Cancer recurrence vs. treatment-related changes
  • Monitor how well chemotherapy, radiation, or other treatments are working

Because PET scans can image the entire body, they are especially useful for evaluating cancer spread, which is critical for treatment planning at centers like Spectrum Health Cancer Center and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

2. Neurological (Brain) Conditions

PET imaging is used to study brain function and metabolism. In Grand Rapids, PET brain scans may be used to:

  • Help evaluate epilepsy and identify the exact brain area causing seizures (useful for surgical planning when medications don’t control seizures)
  • Assist in the assessment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
  • Help evaluate Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
  • Identify areas of the brain that are functioning differently than normal

These advanced neurological PET studies are often coordinated with neurology and neurosurgery teams in larger health systems.

3. Cardiovascular (Heart‑Related) Disease

Heart disease is a major health concern in Michigan, especially with risk factors like high cholesterol, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle during long winters. PET scans can:

  • Assess blood flow (perfusion) to the heart muscle
  • Evaluate how well the heart muscle is functioning
  • Distinguish areas of heart muscle that are:
    • Permanently damaged (for example, after a heart attack)
    • Still alive but not getting enough blood flow (which may improve with procedures like angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery)

This information helps cardiologists in Grand Rapids decide whether revascularization procedures may help.

Preparing for a PET Scan in Grand Rapids

Your preparation may vary slightly depending on which Grand Rapids imaging center you use, but common steps include:

Medical Review

  • Your doctor will:
    • Review your medical history
    • Look at your previous imaging and test results
    • Explain why a PET scan is recommended and what to expect
  • When you arrive at the PET facility, the nuclear medicine physician or technologist will:
    • Confirm your medical history
    • Review any medications you take
    • Ask about allergies and previous imaging procedures

Fasting and Diet

  • You may be asked to fast (no food, sometimes no drinks other than water) for several hours before the scan.
  • For many PET scans, especially those using glucose-based tracers (FDG-PET), you may be instructed to:
    • Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before the scan
    • Follow a low-carbohydrate diet the day before (depending on the protocol of the Grand Rapids facility)

Always follow the specific instructions given by the imaging center.

Diabetes Considerations

If you have diabetes:

  • Tell the scheduler when you book your PET scan.
  • Special instructions may be given for:
    • Timing of insulin or oral diabetes medications
    • Adjusting meals and fasting to keep blood sugar controlled
  • This is important because blood sugar levels can affect PET scan accuracy.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Inform your doctor and the nuclear medicine staff if you:

  • Are pregnant
  • Think you might be pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding

In some cases, the scan may be postponed or modified, or you may be given specific instructions about pumping and discarding breast milk for a short time after the scan.

What to Expect During a PET Scan

1. Injection of the Radiotracer

  • You will receive a small injection of radioactive tracer into a vein.
  • The injection is generally painless and does not make you feel different, dizzy, or drowsy.

2. Resting Period

  • After the injection, you usually rest quietly while the tracer circulates and is taken up by your organs.
  • This waiting period is often 30–60 minutes, sometimes longer depending on the type of scan.
  • For a brain PET scan, you may:
    • Lie quietly in a dim or darkened room
    • Avoid reading, talking, or using your phone
    • Limit exposure to light and noise so your brain activity stays as “baseline” as possible

3. The Scan Itself

  • You will be asked to lie on a padded imaging bed.
  • The bed has supports for your head, arms, and legs to help keep you still and comfortable.
  • The bed slowly moves through the PET/CT scanner, which is a large, ring-shaped machine.
  • You must lie quietly and as still as possible so the images are clear.
  • Imaging usually takes about 20–40 minutes, though the total visit time is longer due to preparation and waiting.

A nuclear medicine technologist will be monitoring you the entire time and can communicate with you through an intercom.

Comfort and Sensations

  • A PET scan is completely painless.
  • You should not feel any different:
    • After the injection
    • During the scan
    • Immediately after the procedure

No sedatives or anesthesia are typically used, unless there are special circumstances (for example, with young children or people who cannot remain still).

After Your PET Scan

Returning to Normal Activities

  • In most cases, you can resume normal activities right away after your PET scan.
  • You can drive yourself home, return to work, or go about your typical routine unless your doctor has given other instructions.

Radiation Precautions

  • The radioactive tracer:
    • Has a very short half-life
    • Is eliminated from your body fairly quickly, mainly through urine
  • The radiation dose from a PET scan is roughly similar to what you would receive from natural background radiation over about three years.

In some cases, you may be advised to:

  • Drink extra fluids to help flush the tracer from your body
  • Avoid close, prolonged contact with pregnant women or infants for a few hours after the scan

The nuclear medicine staff in Grand Rapids will tell you if any special precautions are necessary.

Getting Your PET Scan Results in Grand Rapids

  • The PET images are reviewed and interpreted by a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist.
  • This specialist prepares a detailed report for your referring doctor (such as your primary care physician, oncologist, cardiologist, or neurologist).
  • Before you leave, the technologist will usually tell you:
    • How and when your doctor will receive the results
    • When to schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings

Results are not available immediately to patients at the imaging center; you will review them with your doctor, who will explain what they mean for your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Safety and Possible Complications

Overall Safety

PET scans are considered safe and medically justified when ordered appropriately. Extensive research has not found any long-term problems from the small radiation doses used in nuclear medicine imaging.

Key safety points:

  • Radiation exposure is limited and carefully controlled.
  • The benefits of accurate diagnosis and treatment planning usually far outweigh the small risks from radiation.
  • Allergic reactions to the radiotracer are extremely rare.

Short-Term Considerations

  • Mild discomfort at the injection site (like any standard blood draw) is possible.
  • Very rarely, bruising or infection can occur at the injection site.
  • If you feel unwell after the scan, contact your doctor or the imaging center.

If you have concerns about radiation exposure, your Grand Rapids provider can compare the dose to other imaging tests (such as CT scans) and discuss whether PET is the best option for you.

Alternatives to a PET Scan

The best imaging test depends on your specific condition. In some cases, your Grand Rapids healthcare provider may consider alternatives, such as:

  • Nuclear medicine scans (other than PET), such as bone scans or thyroid scans
  • X‑ray (for basic bone and lung imaging)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed brain, spine, joint, and soft tissue imaging
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan for detailed cross‑sectional images of many body parts
  • Ultrasound for imaging soft tissues, blood flow, and organs like the liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs
  • Blood tests to evaluate organ function or tumor markers
  • Biopsy to obtain tissue samples for microscopic examination

Your doctor will help decide whether a PET scan offers information that other tests cannot provide.

Local Considerations for PET Scans in Grand Rapids, MI

Living in West Michigan, certain regional health factors may influence when PET scans are used:

  • Cancer care: With comprehensive cancer centers at Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, PET scans are frequently part of cancer staging and treatment planning for residents across Kent County and surrounding areas.
  • Cardiovascular disease: Heart disease is prevalent in Michigan; PET can help clarify whether certain heart procedures are likely to be beneficial.
  • Neurological care: PET brain imaging may be coordinated with neurology and neurosurgery teams for epilepsy and neurodegenerative conditions.
  • Seasonal health: Long, cold winters and less physical activity may contribute to chronic disease risk; PET can help detect and monitor these conditions when needed.

For community-level information, the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health provide resources and data on cancer, heart disease, and other conditions common in the area.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you think you may need a PET scan or have questions about an upcoming exam, contact:

  • Your primary care provider or specialist (oncologist, cardiologist, neurologist, etc.)
  • Hospital-based imaging centers at:
    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) in Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health–affiliated imaging centers
  • Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for general health information and local resources

They can help you understand whether a PET scan is appropriate for your situation, how to prepare, and what your results may mean for your care in Grand Rapids, Michigan.