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Positron Emission Tomography (Pet Scan)

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If your doctor ever refers you for a PET scan, you will be introduced to a fairly new medical imaging technique. Since this emerging modality is so new, a lot of the general public is not aware of what a PET scan exactly is. This essay will help explain the concept of this modality and the characteristics of it that allow doctors to diagnose and manage the proper care for some of today's most devastating medical conditions known to man.
Positron emission tomography, also called PET imaging or a PET scan, is a diagnostic examination that uses positively charged particles. The particles are radioactive positrons that detect changes in the body's metabolism and chemical activities. Positrons are tiny particles emitted from a radioactive …show more content…

However, as advances in PET technologies continue, this procedure is beginning to be used more widely in other areas.
PET scans are used most often to detect cancer. A PET scan can be particularly effective in identifying if you have specific cancer, if it has spread. These scans can be performed on the whole body. In addition, a scan can be valuable in evaluating the effectiveness of chemotherapy. It is an excellent test to monitor for recurrence of disease. PET shows whether or not a cancerous tumor is benign or malignant. No other imaging technique can do this. Also it allows for finding the extent of a cancer which is better known as staging. Early intervention is PET's most important benefit. The earlier the detection, the likelier the cure
PET is the most accurate test to reveal coronary artery disease and impaired blood flow or to rule out its presence. A PET scan may reveal early coronary artery disease and damaged or dead heart muscle due to a heart attack. It can also tell the difference between nonfunctioning dead heart muscle from poorly functioning heart muscle that would benefit from a procedure, such as heart surgery, angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery or an implant, to increase blood flow to heart muscle. Therefore, it can also be

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