Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

PET scan image of the heart PET scan of the heart
Images of PET scans showing normal brain activity (right) and reduced brain activity due to depression (left) PET scan of the brain for depression

A PET scan is an effective way to examine the chemical activity in certain parts of your body, which may help detect abnormalities in those areas. PET scans are most often used in people who have cancer, heart disease or brain disorders.

Cancer
Cancer cells show up as brighter spots on PET scans because they have a higher metabolism rate than do normal cells. PET scans may be useful in determining:

  • The extent or spread of certain cancers
  • How well the cancer is responding to treatment
  • If the cancer has recurred

PET scans must be interpreted carefully because noncancerous conditions can resemble cancer, and many types of cancer do not appear on PET scans. The types of cancer most likely to show up on PET scans include:

  • Brain
  • Breast
  • Cervical
  • Colon
  • Esophageal
  • Lung
  • Lymphoma
  • Melanoma
  • Pancreatic
  • Thyroid

Heart disease
Doctors use PET scanning to detect areas of decreased blood flow in the heart. This can help show which areas of the heart might benefit from angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Brain disorders
A PET scan can show which areas of the brain have the most activity during various tasks. This technology also can evaluate specific brain abnormalities, such as:

  • Tumors
  • Memory disorders
  • Seizures
Risks Definition
References
  1. Positron emission tomography - Computed tomography (PET/CT). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=PET. Accessed March 14, 2011.
  2. PET scanning. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. https://www.asrt.org/content/ThePublic/AboutRadiologicProcedures/PETScanning.aspx. Accessed March 14, 2011.
  3. PET scan information sheet. American College of Radiology Imaging Network. http://www.acrin.org/PATIENTS/ABOUTIMAGINGEXAMSANDAGENTS/ABOUTPETSCANS.aspx. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  4. Visioni A, et al. Positron emission tomography for benign and malignant disease. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2011;91:249.
MY00238 May 7, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger