FAPI PET/CT

Istanbul

FAPI PET/CT in Istanbul is available at 2 hospitals in the Voumed network.

FAPI PET/CT is an advanced oncological imaging technique used to detect cancer and assess how far it has spread. It uses a tracer called FAPI, short for fibroblast activation protein inhibitor, which targets the supportive cells that surround and feed many tumours rather than the sugar uptake measured by a standard PET scan. Labelled with a radioactive isotope and combined with PET and CT, it produces detailed three-dimensional images that can highlight tumours and their spread, sometimes more clearly than conventional methods, and is especially useful for cancer types that are hard to see on a routine scan.

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At a glance

Type: targeted hybrid functional and anatomical cancer imaging
Used for: detecting tumours, staging spread, and assessing treatment response
Key benefit: targets the tissue around tumours, helpful when standard PET is unclear
Tracer: a small dose of a radioactive FAPI tracer is injected beforehand
Where it is used: accredited nuclear-medicine and imaging centres abroad

What it is

FAPI PET/CT is a specialised form of PET/CT, an imaging study that fuses a functional scan with a detailed anatomical CT. What sets it apart is the tracer. Many tumours are surrounded by a framework of supportive cells, and FAPI is designed to attach to a protein that is highly active in those cells. When the tracer carries a radioactive label, the area around a tumour gives off a signal that the PET scanner detects, while the CT pinpoints exactly where it is in the body. This focus on the tumour's surroundings can reveal cancers that take up little of the sugar-based tracer used in a standard PET scan.

How it works

A small dose of the radioactive FAPI tracer is injected into a vein. It travels through the body and binds to the active supportive tissue around tumours, making those areas stand out. After a short waiting period, the patient lies on a table that moves slowly through the ring-shaped scanner, which records the PET and CT data together, and a computer merges them into clear three-dimensional images. Because FAPI concentrates quickly in its target, the waiting time before imaging is often shorter than with some other tracers. The scan itself is painless, and the patient simply lies still while it is performed.

What it shows and who it helps

FAPI PET/CT helps locate a primary tumour, judge how far cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs, look for recurrence after treatment, and assess how well treatment is working. By targeting the tissue around tumours, it can be particularly helpful for cancers that are not clearly seen on a standard PET scan, and for organs where normal background activity can otherwise hide small lesions. It is used as part of detailed cancer assessment, and the medical team chooses it when this targeted view is likely to add useful information for diagnosis or treatment planning.

Benefits and what to expect

The main benefit of FAPI PET/CT is a clearer, more targeted view in situations where conventional imaging may fall short, combined with the convenience of capturing function and anatomy in a single visit. The tracer is given in a small dose and clears from the body quickly. Preparation is usually straightforward, and because the tracer concentrates rapidly, the wait before scanning is often short. The scan typically takes around thirty to sixty minutes, there is no recovery time afterwards, and most people resume normal activities the same day. A nuclear-medicine specialist reviews the images and prepares a report for the treating doctor.

Frequently asked questions

These answers are general guidance and may vary by provider. Confirm the details with the hospital you choose.

Is FAPI PET/CT safe, and how much radiation is involved?

It involves a small amount of radiation, from the tracer and the CT scan, kept as low as possible for the information it provides. The tracer is short-lived and leaves the body quickly, helped by drinking fluids. The team recommends the scan only when its detailed, targeted view is expected to benefit your diagnosis or treatment.

How is it different from a standard PET/CT?

A standard PET scan usually measures how much sugar a tissue takes up, while FAPI targets the supportive tissue that surrounds many tumours. This different approach can make certain cancers stand out more clearly, especially those that show little signal on a sugar-based scan or sit in organs with high background activity.

Do I need to fast or prepare beforehand?

Preparation is generally simple, and FAPI scans often need less strict fasting than a standard sugar-based PET scan. The team will give you clear, specific instructions for your appointment, including any guidance on food, fluids and medicines.

Is the injection or the scan painful?

No. The only sensation is the small needle prick when the tracer is injected into a vein, like a routine blood test. The scan itself is completely painless; you simply lie still on the table as it moves through the scanner.

When will I get my results?

A nuclear-medicine specialist reviews the images in detail and prepares a report for your doctor, usually within a few days. Your treating doctor then explains what the findings mean for your diagnosis and care.