overview of pet scan

 A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that can help reveal the metabolic or biochemical function of your tissues and organs. The PET scan uses a radioactive drug called a tracer to show both typical and atypical metabolic activity. A PET scan can often detect the atypical metabolism of the tracer in diseases before the disease shows up on other imaging tests, such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The tracer is most often injected into a vein within your hand or arm. The tracer will then collect into areas of your body that have higher levels of metabolic or biochemical activity. This often pinpoints the location of the disease. The PET images are typically combined with CT or MRI and are called PET-CT or PET-MRI scans.

Products & Services

Why it's done

PET scan is an effective way to help discover a variety of conditions, including cancer, heart disease and brain disorders. Your health care provider can use this information to help diagnose, monitor or treat your condition.

Cancer

Cancer cells show up as bright spots on PET scans because they have a higher metabolic rate than do typical cells. PET scans may be useful in:

  • Detecting cancer.
  • Revealing whether your cancer has spread.
  • Checking whether a cancer treatment is working.
  • Finding a cancer recurrence.

PET scans must be interpreted carefully because noncancerous conditions can look like cancer. Also, some cancers do not appear on PET scans. Many types of solid tumors can be detected by PET-CT and PET-MRI scans, including:

  • Brain.
  • Breast.
  • Cervical.
  • Colorectal.
  • Esophageal.
  • Head and neck.
  • Lung.
  • Lymphatic system.
  • Pancreatic.
  • Prostate.
  • Skin.
  • Thyroid. click here

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What are medical x-rays?

CT scan vs. MRI

Types of financial management