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PET
Unlike most radiology technologies, which provide images of the anatomy, PET can visualize and study the physiology, or the way the body functions. PET measures the chemical changes that occur in the body before signs of a disease are apparent.
Like other nuclear medicine imaging techniques, PET uses a radiopharmaceutical to identify the biochemistry of internal organs. When injected into the body, the signals from these radioactive tracers are measured by the PET scanner to create images of tissue function.
PET is most useful in the staging or tracking of cancer. It is much more sensitive than any other diagnostic test to track the spread or the shrinking of tumors in the body. This can greatly assist doctors in determining the best course of treatment.
PET has also shown promise in evaluating brain functions and may be helpful in diagnosing conditions such as Alzheimer's disease
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