* What should a patient expect? Most PET scans are done as outpatient exams. Patients receive a small dose of a radioactive pharmaceutical and remain on a bed while the radiotracers are detected or "traced" by a special type of camera that works with computers to provide precise pictures of the area of body being imaged. The entire process can take as little as one hour. Because PET is noninvasive and does not involve the risks of surgery, PET scans can be performed repeatedly, if necessary, with minimal risk. The very small amount of tracer administered remains in the body for only a short period of time; there are no known long-term adverse effects from such low doses. After the scan, a nuclear medicine physician reviews the images, prepares a written report and discusses the results with the patient's doctor.
* What are the benefits? PET scans provide valuable information for cancer diagnosis (breast, cervical, colorectal, esophageal, head and neck, lung, lymphoma, melanoma, pancreatic, thyroid and others); evaluation of cancer therapy; and diagnosis of heart disease (and the potential effectiveness of treatment), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia, epilepsy and other neurological diseases. This type of imaging can show changes much earlier than other imaging tests like CT or MRI.
* Does insurance cover PET scans? Many PET scans are covered by insurance; pre-authorization is usually needed or advised. However, recent changes in legislation have limited access to PET scans for Medicare patients by decreasing reimbursements at outpatient facilities.
* What if my doctor wants me to have a PET/CT exam? Nuclear medicine researchers are investigating new radiotracers and new applications of PET that may reveal disease processes that have never before been imaged. PET is now being combined with other imaging techniques-such as computed tomography (CT)-to create "fusion" images that provide functional information with anatomical context. PET-alone and in combination with other techniques-will continue to provide a unique closer look into the body and yield valuable information in the development of treatments and preventive health measures.
* Where can I learn more about PET, PET/CT and molecular imaging/nuclear medicine? SNM encourages patients to be their own advocates and talk to their doctors about whether a PET scan is right for them. To learn more about molecular imaging and nuclear medicine, visit SNM's Web site (www.snm.org) for information and resources on specific imaging procedures.
About SNM-Advancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy
SNM is an international scientific and professional organization of more than 16,000 members dedicated to promoting the science, technology and practical applications of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine to diagnose, manage and treat diseases in women, men and children. Founded more than 50 years ago, SNM continues to provide essential resources for health care practitioners and patients; publish the most prominent peer-reviewed journal in the field (the Journal of Nuclear Medicine); host the premier annual meeting for medical imaging; sponsor research grants, fellowships and awards; and train physicians, technologists, scientists, physicists, chemists and radiopharmacists in state-of-the-art imaging procedures and advances. SNM members have introduced-and continue to explore-biological and technological innovations in medicine that noninvasively investigate the molecular basis of diseases, benefiting countless generations of patients. SNM is based in Reston, Va.; additional information can be found online at http://www.snm.org.

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