A PET scan is a common term for positron emission tomography, an imaging test that can detect certain types of cancer.
A doctor may order a PET scan to learn whether breast cancer:
- has returned in someone who received prior treatment for it
- has spread to other parts of the body
- is responding to treatment
A person should inform their doctor if they are pregnant or nursing before getting a PET scan.
Click through the interactive guide below to learn more about this procedure.