Can A PET Scan Be Used To Detect Cancerous Tissues?

Posted on Mon, 6 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 6 Mar 2017 Answered on

Tue, 4 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I read on line that tissue that lights up with a PET SCAN doesn't always mean cancer, there could be other causes, is that so. If so what else could it be?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infection is a major cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

PET scan checks the activity of tissue and not specifically cancer. So if a tissue is more active than usual, it can light up on PET scan.

This can happen in infection, inflammation (like arthritis), reparative process after injury or surgery. Hence PET findings should be corroborated by biopsy or appropriate follow up.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj