PET Scan

To see how well your organs are working, your doctor may recommend positron emission tomography (PET) at UNC Health Wayne.

Do I Need PET Imaging?

Your medical team may use PET imaging—a type of nuclear medicine—to diagnose or stage certain types of cancer.

How to Prepare

A few days before your appointment, you’ll receive a phone call with instructions on how to get ready for your test. You may need to:

• Avoid eating or drinking for a short time
• Let us know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• Tell us your medical history, current medications, and allergies to medications
• Stop taking certain medications temporarily

If you have diabetes, you may receive special instructions regarding food, drink, and medications. We’ll check your blood sugar before the exam.

What to Expect

Your appointment will take place on a Thursday. You’ll receive a radioactive tracer through a vein (intravenously). It’s a special type of substance (usually glucose, or sugar) that collects in cells that use a lot of energy, such as cancer cells. The tracer shows up on a special type of camera called a gamma camera.

Results

A board-certified radiologist will review your results and give a report to your doctor who ordered the exam. Your doctor will share the results with you and discuss the next steps.

Visit My UNC Chart to view your results in our secure, online patient portal.