My dad is overweight with a serious medical condition. Can you help me find a hospital with a petscan?

Question

My dad had colon cancer 4 years ago but was told by the doctors that he was clear of it after they removed 1/3rd of his colon. In the past month, they have discovered that the cancer spread to his lung. The doctors said that it is incredibly unlikely that it would spread from his colon to his lung directly without first infecting something else. He is in desperate need of a pet scan. This procedure will immediately tell the doctors if and where there are any more cancer cells. Unfortunately, my dad is obsese, weighing in at 498 lbs. He has only been able to find hospitals that can accomodate a 450 lb. person on the petscan table. It seems unconstitutional that anyone should be turned away from life-saving medical care because they are obese. I need to help him find a hospital that can accomodate someone of his size.

Answer 1

Hi!
I saw your dilemma and the thought came that either you could contact the manufacturers of pet-scans directly (here's a link to a list of manufacturers that might help you http://www.medibix.com/CompanySearch.jsp?cs_choice=c&clt_choice=t&treepath=17094&stype=i
And/OR
perhaps you could contact the nearest hospital with a petscan unit and ask them if they have any ideas how to find out if there is a hospital in the continental United States with a large enough unit for your dad.
I hope this helps you.
Blessings and Prayers,
Hugh H

Answer 2

Sorry for your father-but you have to understand that a PET scan is a very sensitive test. They use nuclear medicine to detect abnormalities in a persons body. Good pictures can't be made if a person weighs too much. If the machine can't penetrate his body then it is a waste of everyones time. In the hospital I use to work in the PET scan came on Thursdays and it was a mobile unit. You will probably have to go to a university hospital and do a lot of calling around first. This is going to be a major issue in the future as America becomes more obese. Unfortunately, people should think about how overeating will affect their long term health.

Answer 3

well, that is unfortunate that your having a hard time finding a PET scan big enough for your dad. Im not sure if there is one that will accomodate him, but I work at Barnes Jewish hospital in St. Louis, MO. It is the number 8 hospital in the nation, and I think it would be worth while to look into it. They may have something to offer him. Good luck.