PET (positron emission tomography)
A scan that shows where a radioactive tracer accumulates, so it images what tumours are doing rather than what they look like.
PET detects paired gamma photons from positron annihilation. The tracer determines what is measured: glucose metabolism (FDG), receptor expression (PSMA, SSTR, TROP2, HER2), stroma (FAP), immune cells (CD8), or DNA repair (PARP). Almost always combined with CT or MRI for anatomic reference.
How it works
Positron-emitting isotopes (18F, 68Ga, 89Zr, 64Cu) attached to a targeting molecule; coincidence detection of 511 keV photons; standardised uptake value (SUV) quantifies uptake.
- Whole-body biology in one scan
- Quantitative
- Any target with a ligand can in principle be imaged
- Resolution ~4 mm
- Tracer supply and cost
- Inflammation confounds FDG
Fluciclovine F-18 was the first PET tracer approved for finding recurrent prostate cancer after treatment (2016), and has been largely superseded since 2020 by PSMA PET.
A PET scan that shows which breast cancer deposits still have oestrogen receptors, helping decide whether hormone therapy will work when biopsy is impractical.
Latest papers
topQuery for this technology: (TITLE:"positron emission tomography" OR ABSTRACT:"positron emission tomography") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about PET (positron emission tomography), not a curated reading list.
Pages like this
not linked directly; found by shared links- CompanyGE HealthCare
Shares Fluoroestradiol F-18 (FES PET), Medical cyclotrons, hot cells, and synthesis modules, PET/CT.
- InstitutionTUM Klinikum rechts der Isar / CCC München
Shares PET/MRI, FAPI PET, PSMA PET, Neuroendocrine tumours.
- PathwayCancer metabolism
Shares Standardised uptake value (SUV), Map metabolic dependencies in the patient, not the dish, Glutamine addiction, FDG PET.
- CompanySiemens Healthineers
Shares Medical cyclotrons, hot cells, and synthesis modules, Total-body PET for screening and ultra-low-dose imaging, PET/CT.
- PersonShaoli Song
- CompanyUnited Imaging
Shares Total-body PET for screening and ultra-low-dose imaging, Molecular imaging roadmap: FDG → PSMA → FAP → antigen and immune PET, PET/CT.
- TechnologyRadionuclide generators and cold kits
Shares Medical cyclotrons, hot cells, and synthesis modules, PET tracer manufacturing and distribution, PSMA PET.
- TermWarburg effect
Shares Standardised uptake value (SUV), Glutamine addiction, FDG PET.