What is a PET/CT scan?

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a unique type of imaging test that helps doctors see how the organs and tissues inside your body are actually functioning.

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a diagnostic examination used to detect cancer and find out the cancer's stage (a way of describing a cancer, such as where it is located, whether or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting the functions of other organs in the body). Staging helps the doctor decide what kind of treatment is best and predict a patient's prognosis (chance of recovery). The scan can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.