PET Imaging

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging allows the examination of large areas of the body in a single-scanning session, producing images of human functions. These images capture the biochemical processes, such as tissue glucose metabolism, that can not be revealed through anatomical imaging such as with X-rays, CT, or MRI scans. PET images can provide important information about many conditions including different types of cancer and heart disease, helping physicians plan the most appropriate treatment. In cancer applications, PET Imaging can detect active cancer within the body with a high degree of sensitivity. Since cancer cells are rapidly dividing, they have a higher demand for glucose (hypermetabolism) than normal cells or cells of benign tumors.

PET Imaging utilizes a glucose tracer to help visualize these rapidly dividing cancer cells. The PET images show areas of hypermetabolism, where the cells are using more glucose compared to normal cells, which can be caused by cancer. PET images aid physicians in accurately identifying the location of many different types of cancer and in determining the stage of the cancer. The PET scan information is also useful to help guide the physician in making the best clinical decisions regarding further testing and treatment.

PET imaging has rapidly become central in the diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of lung, head and neck, breast, esophagus, colon, and thyroid cancers as well as melanoma and lymphoma. It is also used for liver, brain, ovarian and pancreatic cancer diagnosis, staging and re-staging. In addition to cancer, PET is useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of coronary heart disease and seizure disorders. PET is integral in pre-surgical evaluation of refractory seizures, for the assessment of myocardial viability following inconclusive SPECT, and for imaging of heart perfusion.

For all PET inquiries or for scheduling appointments please call our PET office at 210-242-6506.