Tumor Diagnosis

This three-dimensional, rotating human image is an F-18 fluorinated deoxy-glucose (FDG) whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) scan of a patient with a metastatic tumor in the liver. F-18 FDG PET can be used to diagnose tumors in cancer patients by measuring the glucose metabolism level in the tumor.

All body cells absorb glucose but the tumor cells appear darker because they take in glucose at a higher metabolic rate than healthy cells. PET technology shows physiologic function not structure or form. The intensity of the glucose uptake is proportional to the metabolic activity of the tumor. PET can measure how metabolically active a tumor is by how dark it shows up on the scan. CT and MRI can show the size and location of a tumor but not how metabolically active it is.

PET may provide information that CT, MRI or ultrasound cannot. Used in conjunction with these other conventional imaging modalities, PET can help diagnose and monitor treatment regimens for certain heart, neurologic and cancer conditions.

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