PET Scan
Positron Emission Tomography (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 (tracer) to show both normal and abnormal metabolic activity.
Common reasons for a PET scan:
- Detecting cancerous abnormalities
- Identifying whether your cancer has spread
- Checking whether a cancer treatment is working
- Finding signs of reoccurring cancer
- Tumors
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Decreased blood flow to the heart
How Does It Work?
As mentioned above and prior to the scan itself, you will be injected with a drug tracer that will show normal and abnormal activities of your metabolic system during the procedure. Like the CT scan, you will lay on a table that will slide into an open circular tube and will remain there until the scan is completed. This procedure takes roughly 30 minutes to complete.
