PET & PET/CT
Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging study that is most commonly performed for the oncology patient for the diagnosis, staging and restaging of tumors, and for monitoring therapy. This enables physicians to diagnose and localize diseases quickly and more accurately. New uses for PET scans now include the ability to determine damage to heart tissue due to decreased blood flow. PET is probably most useful in diagnosing the early stages of certain dementias caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Radiologists of Jefferson's Department of Radiology use a state-of-the-art PET scanner that is combined with a CT scanner, i.e., PET/CT. PET shows the metabolic functions in the body, and the CT shows detailed structural anatomy into a single fused image.
Benefits of PET/CT
The benefits of PET/CT are many:
- Earlier detection of disease with fewer invasive diagnostic procedures
- Precise staging of the disease and better monitoring of cancer recurrences
- Provides valuable information to aid in treatment planning and staging
- Results may prevent or change surgical intervention and/or chemotherapy