What does a PET scan show?

A PET scan is a type of nuclear scan. It uses a small amount of radioactive material, called a tracer, and shows areas of the body where glucose (a sugar) is being taken up.

Because cancer cells often take up more glucose than normal cells, these areas can show up on the pictures. This can help doctors find cancer or see where it may have spread.

A PET scan is one imaging tool among several, and its pictures are read alongside other tests. Your healthcare team is the best source of information about what your scan showed and what it means for you.