Is there such a thing as a full body scan to detect skin cancers?

Answer 1

Yes there is. It is called a PET/CT scan. Most skin cancer is found initially with visual inspection but there is a growing number of reasons and situations where the PET scan is being utilized in Skin Cancer detection and in the spread of cancer to other parts of the body (metastasis).

PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography.

For more info if you are concerned go to:

http://www.petscaninfo.com/zportal/portals/pat/cancer

http://www.wvm.petctmobile.com/zportal/portals/pat/cancer/Skin

Answer 2

Early diagnosis is the most important survival factor. Usually, it depends first on finding the lesion visually. Visible screening and early testing are so important. If you have a skin blemish that you are concerned about, call a physician at your local PET center or visit your physician.

When malignant melanoma is found - PET Scanning can help.

If you have a suspicious mole, you will need to have further tests to find out if it is malignant. To find out if it is cancerous, you will need to have a biopsy procedure. The doctor will take some of the cells and have them looked at under a microscope. If it turns out to be a melanoma, you may need to have additional tests.

Although many melanomas are curable, some spread so quickly that you could have other tumors in the lymph nodes, lungs, brain, or other places, even if the original skin melanoma is still small. This method of metastasizing also makes it very difficult to monitor recurrence. Melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body may not be found until long after the first melanoma has been removed from the skin. A PET scan can check to see if the cancer has spread.

PET is not usually useful in the non-melanoma types of skin cancer, because of the growth rates and patterns. However, PET is an important test to be done right after you are diagnosed with malignant melanoma.

A PET scan can accurately detect melanoma skin cancer and see if it may have spread. The high mortality rate of melanoma is because it spreads quickly through the lymphatic and blood systems.


Hope this information helps. Best of luck to you! Take Care! :)

Answer 3

Since skin cancers are visible, have your doctor or dermatologist look at your whole body at least once a year to detect anything unusual. A lot of fair-skinned people do this as a precaution. Anything suspicious can then be removed and diagnosed.

Answer 4

Pet/ct is the best but used only for squamous cell and melonoma.

Becareful with the answers given here. 15% of skin cancer occurs under the skin with no visual signs. 10% of those are behind the eye.

Full body scans are used only in melonoma.

Answer 5

Skin cancer is usually easy to point out visually. So just look in a mirror, and have a loved-one check out hard-to-see places.

Answer 6

a dermatologist checks you from head to toe for skin cancer but you can also check yourself.

Answer 7

No a visual inspection is all that is required.

Answer 8

I dont think so but there may be