PET/CT is hybrid diagnostic method used most frequently in oncology, although it is used in cardiology, neurology and other branches of the medicine.
PET scan in patients with malignant diseases is used to enable imaging of the metabolism of the cells with glucose analogue labeled with positron emitter 18 F named fluorodeoxyglucose. The accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose in tumor cells is higher than in surrounding cells because of their high metabolism. Imaging the cells metabolism can help in better staging of the disease, detection of recurrences and evaluation of therapy response.
During one scanning in hybrid PET/CT scanners, PET and CT scan is obtained. This approach allows the doctors to image the function and the anatomy of the diseased organs.