People also ask
What are PET scans used for?
PET scans are used by a variety of specialists to gather information on a plethora of conditions. This imaging test makes use of a radioactive drug called a tracer, which shows the state of an individual鈥檚 organs and tissues.
What is a positron emission tomography (PET) scan?
Overview. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that helps reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning. A PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to show this activity. This scan can sometimes detect disease before it shows up on other imaging tests.
Can a PET scan show cancer?
PET scans must be interpreted carefully because noncancerous conditions can look like cancer, and some cancers do not appear on PET scans. Many types of solid tumors do appear on PET scans, including: PET scans can reveal areas of decreased blood flow in the heart.
Can a PET scan detect a tracer?
A PET scan can often detect the abnormal 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.