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The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is a high-tech medical imaging procedure that allows doctors to observe how cells within the body are functioning. Unlike CT or MRI scans which primarily show organ structures, the PET scan assesses cellular function and activity, making it an invaluable diagnostic tool in oncology (cancer), cardiology (heart), and neurology (brain).
A PET scan utilizes a low-dose radioactive substance known as a radiotracer, with the most common type being fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). FDG, a type of sugar, is injected into the bloodstream and is absorbed by the body's cells.
Cells that are working abnormally, such as cancer cells, typically absorb significantly greater amounts of FDG compared to normal cells. This difference is detected by the PET machine, highlighting the affected areas of the body.
PET scans are frequently combined with CT or MRI scans (PET-CT or PET-MRI) to integrate the cellular function information (from PET) with detailed structural images of the body (from CT/MRI).
PET scans are widely used to diagnose, stage, and monitor the response to treatment for various conditions:
Cancer (Oncology):
Detecting the location of the primary cancer and tracking its spread (metastasis) to other parts of the body.
Cancers include brain, breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, cervical, and lymphoma.
Helping to determine the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
Heart and Lung Diseases (Cardiology & Pulmonology):
Assessing blood flow to and from the heart and lungs.
Diagnosing conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, cardiac/pulmonary sarcoidosis, and pulmonary embolism.
Assisting in planning treatments like angioplasty or heart bypass surgery.
Brain and Nervous System Disorders (Neurology):
Detecting functional problems in the brain and nervous system.
Diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Parkinson's disease, Epilepsy, and brain tumors.
PET scans are generally safe but require careful preparation:
| Before the Scan | During the Scan (30–60 Minutes) | After the Scan |
| Fasting: Fast for 4–6 hours prior to your appointment. | Injection and Rest: The patient will be injected with the radiotracer and asked to rest for 1 hour to allow the material to distribute throughout the body. | Hydration: Drink plenty of water to help flush the radiotracer out of your system. |
| Caffeine: Avoid caffeinated beverages for 24 hours (especially important for cardiac studies). | Scanning Process: The patient lies on a special table that slides into the machine. | Contact: Avoid close contact with pregnant women or young children for 2–10 hours as a precaution. |
| Activity: Avoid strenuous activity or heavy exercise for 24 hours. | Immobility: The patient must remain still to ensure clear image acquisition. | Activity: Patients may return to normal activities unless otherwise instructed by the doctor. |
| Accessories: Remove all jewelry and metal accessories. | Experience: The procedure is generally painless, but you may experience discomfort due to lying still for a prolonged period. | Results: The final scan results will be available within a few days. |
Patients must inform their doctor if they:
Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Have uncontrolled Diabetes (which can affect the accuracy of the results).
Have a history of allergies (especially iodine or to the radiotracer).
Suffer from Claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces).
The PET scan is a vital tool in the diagnosis of complex diseases, providing a unique insight into cellular activity that cannot be seen with other imaging techniques.
Date of Input: 12/11/2025 | Updated: 13/11/2025 | fatini
Centre for Diagnostic Nuclear Imaging
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 Serdang
Selangor
