Understanding radiology: What is a PET scan?
A PET scan is like your radiologist’s ace detective. The information gathered during the scan can help your doctor understand what’s actually happening on the inside of your body.
This scan shows a radiologist your anatomy or body structure. It can be used to detect cancer, to determine if cancer has spread or how your body has responded to cancer therapy. In addition, a PET scan can be used to assess Alzheimer’s, dementia, or certain cardiac conditions.
This is a non-invasive, 90-minute painless procedure. During the PET scan, a small amount of radioactive sugar is injected into your blood stream.
In this video, Dr. J. Mark Fulmer, a diagnostic radiologist on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, explains how the sugar metabolizes in your body—and how that helps radiologists detect what’s happening on your insides.
Tags: Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, cancer, CT Scan, Dr. Mark Fulmer, imaging, non-invasive, PET scan, radiology, what happens during a PET scan?, what is a PET scan?, why do you need a PET scan?
