What is positron emission tomography (PET)?
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Riverside Cancer Care Center answered:Unlike computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that provide images of structures in the body, positron emission tomography (PET) scans show chemical changes related to metabolism or body activity. Before a PET scan, a patient will receive an injection of a small amount of a radioactive drug. All tissues absorb some of this drug (called an isotope) but cancerous cells are hypermetabolic, meaning they absorb greater amounts, which enables them to be seen on the scan. PET is used to locate cancerous tumors and to see if the disease has spread to other parts of the body.
Research indicates that combining the PET images into the images provided through CT scanning provides the best of both technologies. This procedure is particularly effective for diagnosing the original cancer site as well as any spread to nearby lymph nodes or more distant sites in the body.
Unlike computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that provide images of structures in the body, positron emission tomography (PET) scans show chemical changes related to metabolism or body activity. Before a PET... More -
Healthwise answered:Positron emission tomography (PET) is a test that uses a special type of camera and a tracer (radioactive chemical) to look at organs in the body. The tracer usually is a special form of a substance (such as glucose) that collects in cells that are using a lot of energy, such as cancer cells.
During the test, the tracer liquid is put into a vein (intravenous, or IV) in your arm. The tracer moves through your body, where much of it collects in the specific organ or tissue. The tracer gives off tiny positively charged particles (positrons). The camera records the positrons and turns the recording into pictures on a computer.
PET scan pictures do not show as much detail as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) because the pictures show only the location of the tracer. The PET picture may be matched with those from a CT scan to get more detailed information about where the tracer is located.
A PET scan is often used to evaluate cancer, check blood flow or see how organs are working.
See pictures of a PET scanner and PET scans of the brain.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a test that uses a special type of camera and a tracer (radioactive chemical) to look at organs in the body. The tracer usually is a special form of a substance (such as glucose) that collects in cells... More -
PET (positron emission tomography) is a powerful, non-invasive, diagnostic tool that detects biochemical changes in body tissues. To feed their rapid growth, tumors consume more glucose than healthy tissues. The PET scanner, which creates a color-coded image of the body's chemical function, reveals the cancer as red "hot spots" of activity.PET (positron emission tomography) is a powerful, non-invasive, diagnostic tool that detects biochemical changes in body tissues. To feed their rapid growth, tumors consume more glucose than healthy tissues. The PET scanner, which creates a... More
