Hearing that your PET scan results were positive might make your heart skip a beat. Most people immediately assume it signifies cancer, although this is not always the case.
A PET scan identifies regions of the body where cells are highly active. Cancer cells frequently act this manner, but infections, inflammation, and even regenerating tissues can do the same. The scan is an effective tool, but it does not provide a definitive decision.
What’s a PET Scan Anyway?
A PET scan (positron emission tomography) is a type of body scan that uses a radiotracer, often a glucose-like molecule known as FDG, to capture how tissues function. Cancer cells frequently suck the tracer up quickly, making them seem brighter on the scan.
What Else Can Make a PET Scan Pop?
- Infection and inflammation. When your body battles an infection, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, or a surgical healing site, white blood cells swarm and burn glucose, making the areas appear suspicious.
- Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases Sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis are all possible causes of hot patches.
- Normal (non-cancerous) growths Some benign tumors, such as thyroid nodules or fibromas, can absorb FDG and seem cancerous.
- Healing and Scar Tissue Trauma or surgical sites may appear on a PET scan while the body is healing.
- Other unusual reasons. Even immunological responses to vaccinations (particularly recent COVID injections) can result in FDG absorption in adjacent lymph nodes.
PET Isn’t a Perfect Truth Teller
PET scans are sensitive; they detect activity. However, this does not imply that they are exact in identifying cancer. A bright spot could be innocuous. According to one research, the false-positive rate of PET/CT is roughly 13%, with the majority of cases caused by inflammatory or viral activity.
If PET Scan Is Positive Can It Be Anything But Cancer
- Not always cancer: A positive PET scan means cells are more active than normal, but that can happen for many reasons.
- Infections: Pneumonia, tuberculosis, or other infections can light up on a PET scan.
- Inflammation: Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or sarcoidosis can cause bright spots.
- Healing tissue : Areas recovering from surgery or injury may show activity.
- Benign tumors: Non-cancer growths like thyroid nodules or fibroids can look suspicious.
- Recent vaccines: Shots, especially COVID-19 vaccines, can make nearby lymph nodes light up.
- False positives happen: About 10–15% of positive PET scans are not cancer.
- More tests needed: CT, MRI, or biopsy confirm the real cause.
Why Should You Care?
If your PET scan reveals anything abnormal, relax a little. It does not automatically spell cancer. Don’t disregard it, either.
Connect the dots with your physician. Dig deeper biopsy, repeat scans, whatever is required. That’s how you tell what’s true from what’s not.
If you’d like, I can put together a step by step guide for what questions to ask your doctor following a positive PET. Simply utter the word.
FAQs
Q1. Can you have a PET scan and not have cancer?
Ans: Yes, PET scans are used for many conditions, not just cancer.
Q2. Can something light up on a PET scan and not be cancer?
Ans: Yes, infections, inflammation, healing tissue, or benign growths can light up too.
Q3. Does a PET scan show what stage cancer is?
Ans: It helps show how far cancer has spread, but staging also needs other tests.
Hi, I’m Deepak Kumar Yogi — Founder & Patient Care Executive at MRI-Jaipur.com
I help people in Jaipur get quality diagnostic scans like MRI, CT, Ultrasound, and PET Scan at the best prices. Through this blog, I’ll guide you on how to choose the right scan, where to get it, and how to save money — all with trusted service and care.
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