US Medical Term · tests
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones (PET)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) |
| Spanish (Español) | Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones (PET) |
| Chinese (中文) | 正子電腦斷層掃描（PET掃描） |
| Korean (한국어) | PET 스캔 (양전자 방출 단층촬영) |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Chụp PET (Chụp cắt lớp phát xạ positron) |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | PET Scan |
| Portuguese (Português) | PET Scan (Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เพ็ทสแกน |
| Japanese (日本語) | PETスキャン（陽電子放出断層撮影） |
What it means
A PET scan shows how your organs and tissues are functioning by detecting a small amount of radioactive tracer injected into your bloodstream. Cancer cells and active disease areas absorb more tracer and appear as bright spots on the images. You will need to fast for four to six hours beforehand and avoid strenuous exercise the day before. After the tracer injection, you will wait about an hour while it travels through your body. The scan itself lasts 30 to 45 minutes while you lie still in the machine. PET scans are often combined with CT imaging to provide both functional and structural information. The radiation exposure is low and the tracer leaves your body within hours.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
What should I eat or avoid before my PET scan?
¿Qué debo comer o evitar antes de mi estudio PET?
How radioactive will I be after the PET scan injection?
¿Qué tan radioactivo estaré después de la inyección para el PET?
How long will the entire PET scan appointment take?
¿Cuánto durará toda la cita para el estudio PET?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026