PET or Positron Emission Tomography has emerged as a revolutionary diagnostic imaging technology, helping in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases that cannot be detected by other imaging methods. This highly sophisticated technology provides physicians with specific information about the function of organs and cells.

Prior to a PET scan, a radioactive tracer is injected intravenously and absorbed by cells in a patient’s body. Cells that are cancerous or abnormal metabolize the glucose in the tracer fluid faster than normal cells. PET scan results show the areas of abnormal glucose metabolism and, consequently, exactly where disease is located.

PET accurately diagnoses the location and stage of malignant disease and non-invasively monitors the effect of treatment. PET also replaces multiple medical testing procedures with a single exam, therefore reducing or eliminating ineffective and unnecessary treatment. PET is used for early diagnosis of cancer, as well as for heart disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

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