How Does a PET Scan Work?

NIBIB's 60 Seconds of Science explains what is happening in the body when it undergoes an PET scan.
A PET scan uses radioactive tracers to create 3D images of the body. The radiation from the tracers poses little danger to the patient since they quickly pass out of the body. The kind of tracer used will depend on what the doctor is looking for. Often when looking for cancer, doctors use FDG, a modified form of glucose. The isotope attached to the carrier molecule produces small particles called positrons, which interact with surrounding electrons. The resulting release of photons is detected by the PET scanner and translated into an image through computer processing.
Music by longzijun 'Chillvolution.'
For more information on PET scans: www.nibib.nih.gov/science-educ...
For NIBIB's Copyright Policy: www.nibib.nih.gov/policies#cop...

[@alanhillier1033]

Had to find out how these things work.Wife has just had her 2 nd scan and is totally cancer free.Many thanks to the Oncology Dept at QA Hospital,Portsmouth 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@mcafrique9699]

Congrats man! Thank God. May Jesus give her long life too🙏🏿❤

[@riyakrish1639]

Is she's okay ...which stage of cancer she had ?? Please tell me ..

[@alanhillier1033]

@@riyakrish1639 she was stage 2…unfortunately diagnosed again 3 months ago with breast cancer but after treatment she had the all clear again last week 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@carljenkins5092]

That is wonderful news to hear. Thank you for sharing. Thank you Jesus for helping this lady get over cancer and I pray that she has a long long life.

[@gayanisugathadasa5388]

So happy for you. God bless her with long happy healthy life. God has bless her with a good doctor

[@emmafergusonhribar]

explained it so much better than my neurosci textbook

[@cancerspecialistdr.md.tous7070]

Very easy and effective explanation..thank you..

[@NIBIBgovNIH]

NIBIB's 60 Seconds of Science playlist now has Spanish subtitles. Learn about how PET scans work in Spanish!

[@NIBIBgovNIH]

Find out how a #PETscan works courtesy of NIBIB's 60 Seconds of Science!

[@robbie9706]

I’m in nursing school right now and this helps way better then reading the textbook. Thank you !

[@m7amadsala722]

Great! Freshly graduated doctor and this is the first time I truly understand it.. Thanks

[@lucyb.2782]

Sad that you say this is after Medical School... Explains why Drs don't know sad.. truly 😥

[@Bigbear4224]

I have had 5 of these in my life. I just had the most recent one yesterday. This video explains it so much better than any doctor or nurse has ever done for me. Thank you!

[@healthfitnessbysuman6602]

Why where you given this Pet Scan in the first place? And how are you doing now? I hope good

[@abel3557]

@@healthfitnessbysuman6602 he's gone. He took in 40 years of background radiation from the scans

[@gisellacarreras2066]

Did you feel good afterwards?

[@kchilz32]

@@abel3557did you know him?

[@sixstringlove8242]

My father is undergoing this today. Now I know what is happening. Thank God for KZbin...

[@nurulaaulia5200]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqiQXqqcoZh7p6s

[@etiyaethiel2377]

Way better than 1 hrs lecture, perfect!

[@KenDBerryMD]

So, since cancer must have lots of sugar to spread and grow, it takes up the molecule attached to sugar much faster than regular tissue? It almost seems that if someone cut their sugar intake if might make their body much less enticing for cancer growth.

[@Krucketson]

The fact that this possibility remains largely ignored just blows my mind 🙁

[@delaguilawalter]

@@Krucketson Doctor Jason Fung is about to come with a book about cancer. I am curious to see what he has to say.

[@alexkmile]

Not exactely, because gluconeogenesis keeps the blood glucose at the same level despite lower glucose intake

[@gone7777]

@@alexkmile More?

[@anomalyp8584]

No, it doesn't work like that sadly. It's like saying that you will treat a tapeworm by not eating and hope it will starve to death.

[@XpnLef]

Nice video, although would love to have a video that goes much more in detail. Thank you 😊

[@mikal426]

that intro song is fire

[@ravaginggorgonpetricat1728]

Very nice video, I really needed this info for a new class. Thnx

[@susan4882]

Great explanation,thank you so much❤️

[@thebeast5215]

Thank you for this easy to understand explanation

[@toni_wood]

I'm having my first Petscan December 28th,9am Rothman in Egg Harbor Township.I'm doing all my research to prepare...

[@valerierachaelwinter4701]

Short and sweet explanation thank you❤

[@ValeriePallaoro]

This is an excellent explanation. I'm having one very soon and this video helps a lot. Thanks

[@artsoto5459]

Why did you need one?

[@fatimahk.alkhamis7620]

Great video 👍🏻

[@rubanimohammad9608]

Excellent video

[@alicefantazzini1590]

Very nice video!

[@kylealexander1514]

Brilliant Video

[@JS-ls5mh]

thank you so much finally I got it

[@joserosa1107]

Thank you for the video

[@user-dz9ol8wj1f]

Babut shahdar video haiiiiii👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Amr198569]

Wonderful

[@artempogorelov7863]

Wow, that's really simple and useful

[@user-gj8ty1so2p]

Excellent video ahort and precise

[@itsme-eh6gp]

ملخص الفيديو بليييز ما فهمت ولا شيء

[@whiteboardanimatorhamna]

Thank u so much really helpful video

[@Viveksingh078]

*Good explanation*

[@mr.johnzussino6217]

Great video - thanks:)

[@hewitttribe5536]

Good for revision

[@MinecrafAssassin]

damn, learned something, cool. I had no clue how the hell radioactive isotopes helped with the detection of cancer. My tiny brain couldn't think of a way that was possible

[@temporaryrelief2981]

Brillante

[@saidbingol9781]

thnx , I have two questions: why can't we see solid tumors in PET scanning? what are the cells that act like cancer cells in PET scanning ?

[@johnrowland3105]

Beginning to get heartily sick of having to try and find KZbin videos to explain terms banded around during hospital consults over the last year. Got one of these scheduled for Saturday so thanks for the understandable explanation

[@kchilz32]

How did it go, I’m having one done next week for some lesions found on my spleen. I’m a bit nervous

[@johnrowland3105]

@@kchilz32 Mine was on my spine. I got into the hospital and within an hour i went to theatre. Op. took about 45 minutes and afterwards went to the ward and was home by early evening.

[@kchilz32]

@@johnrowland3105 was it malignant? I’m glad you are doing good

[@johnrowland3105]

@@kchilz32 Well, to add to my weird situation the Surgeon issued my release paperwork and scribbled on the bottom was "No intention to recall'. Which I thought was a bit odd considering it was spinal. That was the last week in November. And to date nothing has improved. I've gone from needing a walking stick to help to now using a walking frame. I got so concerned I contacted my GP surgery and they say its likely nerve damage. They've referred me to Addenbrookes. That in itself was a month ago and I've yet to hear from them as to an appointment

[@user-rh3mm1yt1j]

​@@johnrowland3105q

[@chetanbhajibhakare2738]

This test also benefit for angioplasty treatment?????

[@fidorf]

Thanks Nibis

[@Moxyator]

Do all pet scans use the same colouring ? Specific colour for cancer ?

[@esmeraldaelhamzawy9114]

Wow!

[@rajaalahmar4371]

GREAT

[@jenko701]

Thank Paul Dirac .

[@ricardozeballos7664]

I like the song Thats playing

[@ricardozeballos7664]

Can sobody tell me where did the "sorrounding electrons" came from?

[@paulv9833]

Ricardo Zeballos the tumor itself is an elctron

[@nachoslemonheads6481]

Any tips on what to do before and after. Stuff they don't already tell u

[@NIBIBgovNIH]

You can download our Medical Scans app that is designed to help patients prepare for different medical scans. www.nibib.nih.gov/Understanding-Medical-Scans-App

[@seifseif8829]

Great

[@cliffsymes1932]

I've got one of these coming up very soon about my cancer I'm hoping the results are positive

[@smitamayank855]

What are the results

[@kchilz32]

You good?

[@blurrrrrr44]

Everyone seems hung up on the fact radioactive glucose is injected. Meanwhile i'm fascinated that positrons are being produced.

[@grantmaybe]

Where are the electrons coming from tho?? What're they annhilating with? Are they destroying electrons in the body?

[@PeaceNinja007]

I'm more fascinated by the idea that cancer consumes higher amounts of sugar and no one here seems to bat an eye about it lol

[@shreyaposhiya487]

What is that music? It's too nice. Please answer

[@NIBIBgovNIH]

The music is by longzijun and entitled 'Chillvolution.'

[@shreyaposhiya487]

@@NIBIBgovNIH thank you so much. 😀😀

[@Sir.AdamsVIII]

I wonder if this can be used to detect the severity of adhd or bipolar in the brain.

[@Nada-cj6nl]

It does actually

[@thesinaclwon]

If they can latch onto cancer cells can we use that to send something else with the solution that attacks the cancer?

[@chesterwilberforce9832]

I have one scheduled for tomorrow morning (10-19-23). A CT scan recently discovered an 8mm something or other in my lung that wasn't there 10 months ago. WIsh me luck.

[@ijoj1000]

gr8

[@user-th4ck3sx1e]

Please answer me. Who works on this device? Dr.? Physical Medical?

[@akhashemi955]

The technician of radiology medicale works in nuclear medecine and other part of radiology. The Dr will give the report of the images about pathology and physicien medical also work for the quality of the images and the protocol with technicians of radiology.

[@user-th4ck3sx1e]

@@akhashemi955 First thanks for the answer. But . I understand from your words that the medical physicist will work with the doctor and some specialists within a special medical team

[@cardosokilas]

Is not positrons the same as antimatter?

[@Retroflections]

yes they are!

[@WiskeyFire]

They aren't anti matter specifically. They are anti electrons. Very similar

[@NiteTrain345]

Daniel Andriske "The positron or antielectron is the antiparticle or the antimatter counterpart of the electron." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron

[@sigmabond1289]

No not actually.... Antimatter isn't so easily available under normal conditions....positron is a sub- sub atomic particle..a level below the protons.

[@darkenergylambda]

ishan bhange not true. Its the antimatter counterpart of the electron. A positively charged electron with the same mass as a regular electron.

[@randyhakim8791]

So these Positrons just came out of nowhere or it has causes? Pair production? or else?

[@matthewa1729]

They said "the tracer produces positrons," or something in that essence. I too, am trying to find more information on that part. My question was When are the positrons created, but your question of How they come is even better! Come on KZbin physicists where are you!?!?

[@anna7203]

6 years late but if you still haven’t found out and still care, the isotopes in the tracers are unstable (so they are radioactive), and therefore they decay by emitting the positron so they become stable

[@randyhakim8791]

@@anna7203 thanks for the reply, I do still care since I'm a medical physicist major. Found it long before then cheers

[@anna7203]

@@randyhakim8791 wow that’s so cool!

[@yaaaaasfire9621]

so what happens if the tracer aren't absorbed

[@rayoliver6807]

You must be in pre hydration !

[@cool7654321]

the music bumpin

[@febeestherpari4996]

Tanks for the explation because I had today . Nothing. By mouth 12 hours befor the procedure. That they administer. Via IVthat substance radio activa then i had te test for One hour aproxmately.

[@healthfitnessbysuman6602]

What was the result of your scan? And how are you feeling now?

[@kchilz32]

Are you good?

[@tenacious645]

This is what comes to mind when people say humans are stupid. Those people are projecting. Humans are clearly not stupid. Just..most of us are.

[@bbbrucebb]

heard on the Christian radio "be humble; we are all ignorant; we are just ignorant about different things''

[@aredjay4342]

Also just so everyone knows, positrons are actually antimatter. It is very interesting that we use anti matter in our daily lives!

[@PeaceNinja007]

Also just so everyone knows, cancer consumes higher amounts of sugar. It is very interesting that nearly everything in our typical western diet has sugar!

[@MariaGarcia281]

I lit up like a Christmas tree with my PET scan...

[@kchilz32]

What does it mean?

[@PeaceNinja007]

@@kchilz32 Definitely not Christmas ..

[@bradgarnerjackson5channel897]

I'm having one done July 8th.

[@kchilz32]

How it go?

[@bradgarnerjackson5channel897]

@kchilz32 it worked good you have drink some kind shake. And when you're done they you to get the pet scan

[@kchilz32]

@@bradgarnerjackson5channel897 why did you have to have one of don’t mind me asking. Hope all is well

[@taliabak3816]

good video

[@user-hp9mj5ou3m]

ممكن تستخدم لعلاج العظام تريكب عظام غوريلا او انسان ياسمين عادل علي بيومي

[@mylord6868]

isn't positron is anti matter?

[@oportaldaciencia]

Yes, it is :)

[@mylord6868]

Portal da Ciência so it supposed to combine electron and cause explosion?

[@oportaldaciencia]

Sort of. A particle and its antiparticle (in this case an electron and a positron) have most quantum properties reversed, in such a way they can be thought of as the mirror image of each other. Thus, when they combine, their properties cancel each other out and the result is an *annihilation*. Their energy is released in the form of other particles. In this situation, they release gamma rays, which are detected :)

[@ApostlePatrikWiedemann]

it is anti-electron essentially

[@matthewa1729]

@@oportaldaciencia does the tracer create positrons constantly? Or only when attached to tissues?

[@artsci2716]

I have to have a pet scan next week

[@domlikatrichkova5285]

why?

[@fury1920]

What's the results and how are you now?

[@kchilz32]

How did your PET scan go? You good? Hope you are well

[@artsci2716]

@@kchilz32 Went well. No pancreatic tumors. I am feeling well and hope you are as well. Thanks!

[@kchilz32]

@@artsci2716 I’m so happy you are fine. My MRI showed multiple lesions on my spleen so I have a PET scan next week. I have no symptoms but the mri was conclusive that’s why I’m getting a pet scan

[@vineetasattavan]

Dil bechara movie se suna .... pet scan

[@kiranmaskar9820]

If any inquiry onco , onco surgery , pet scan , any kind of surgery. I definitely help you. hiii I am kiran Maskar PRO MPCT Hospital.. Mumbai.

[@tobinkoshy1846]

Love the video...but the backing beat is soo good...like wow... imma bang my head to this-get a tumor by not treating this and get a PET scan~!

[@PeaceNinja007]

FDG - FluorodeoxyGlucose ... for those curious ones like me

[@thijsdejong3315]

V5C Amsterdams Lyceum!

[@vanmeer02]

+Thijs De Jong Same

[@MeaHeaR]

this doesn't explains properly, where everything come from unt hiw it escaped unt energisé by whât ¿¿¿

[@Arturo-lapaz]

do you realize that the radiation, energy of these photons is enourmously ionizing. Ionization of a hydrogen atom requires 13.6 electron volts. in compaison the aniliation of an electron and his anti particle, the positron produces 550 thousand electron volts, sa huge energy destroying any cell in either of the two oposing paths, severe radiation poisoning is the result.

[@DCFunBud]

Sounds like limiting your sugar intake could reduce your risk of cancer.

[@PeaceNinja007]

Yes. Cutting sugar completely is better. I know, easier said than done. But we don't need it at all from external sources. Our body can make it on its own and in the right amount. I've done zero sugar without fail for 8 months straight. Never felt better. Cancer can also be influenced by other factors - High sugar intake (as discussed) - Endocrine disruptors (toxins i.e. BPAs, phytoestrogens, xenoestrogens, heavy metals ..etc) - Compromised Immune system (due to nutritional deficiencies, bad dietary choices, and excess stress) - Low Oxygen

[@anna7203]

@@PeaceNinja007zero sugar? if you don’t mind me asking, does that mean you don’t eat any fruit or anything like that? what do you eat?

[@PeaceNinja007]

@@anna7203 During those 8 months, I ate no fruits.

[@luv.9685]

Shomwww

[@nikegunveer1311]

Send me riding videos

[@Pinkapop724]

Just had to point out its cool that the narrator of the video called the doctor a "she"

[@mrmorgan5003]

And Aliens are not real 🤔🤔 THEN HOW THE HELL DID WE FIGURE THIS OUT BECAUSE I WATCHED THE VIDEO AND IM STILL CONFUSED DO I BRING MY PET TO THE PET SCAN OR NOT?🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mattsergel5704]

Wow isn't this supposed to be on pet's then why are they showing humans.

[@SmokeSomeCancer]

Sugar radiation

[@carmendolores801]

juego de dora

[@user-wx9ze2qs4i]

あ

[@wermzer1312]

$10,000 per pet scan.

[@davidburns3807]

why would you assume the doctor is female?

[@seansteel3326]

She?? lol. I guess this perfectly ok and is not sexist?

[@tenacious645]

Shyam Koundinya You are correct. It's no more sexist than if we called the doctor he, but you BETTER NOT assume male gender or it's totally insensitive and sexist sigh.

[@steveandrews8301]

Double standard, either way, in today's nauseating politically correct, thought controlled environment. Sigh..

[@fdyjt]

she sayd LITTLE DANGER since it goes fast out of the body but what is little then?? what can happen? am having an panic attack here becaus enext week i have to do an pet scan jesusz

[@zubair8286]

You can ask your doctor don't be panic just she said like that little danger is every where even if you have x Ray of body there is written danger area but we have to do it to find out our disease best of luck

[@fdyjt]

@@zubair8286 thank you for support

[@healthfitnessbysuman6602]

@@fdyjt how did the scan go? How are you feeling now?

[@fdyjt]

​@@healthfitnessbysuman6602 hi am doing good now.so i did pet scan years ago and it came out that my thymus hade swollen up.But i hade to take medication for 1 year and now its doing better.thank you for asking

[@healthfitnessbysuman6602]

@@fdyjt I'm so happy to hear this that it's all good now.. I'm nervous about my mom's Pet Scan.. He ct scan of lungs came abnormal with lung nodules so doctor asked us to get Pet Scan.. it's making me worried sick since Pet Scans are associated with Cancer detection.. Anyways, u take care and thanks for replying

[@danielrizzo4927]

Anti-matter in action!

[@pattycake1939]

Sounds awful 😮

[@djurredejong724]

Why dis video not sixty seconds bic scam dislike

[@MD-xk6wh]

Why gender biasing? "she"?

[@user-th4ck3sx1e]

Please answer me. Who works on this device? Dr.? Physical Medical?