Pet scan

If an area lights up on a pet scan, does that always mean cancer? If not, what other things can cause it to light up. Thanks.

There is info on pet / spect /ct etc on the site which might help give you some more background. You should be able to find it using the search button at the top RH corner.

RB

[Sherryg683]

No, it doesn't always mean Cancer. It can light up when there is an infection of some sort. Although, the majority of the time, it is cancer. Do a google search on Pet Scan and it will give you some more info. The Pet that I had did not light up the liver spots that I had. But when they started shrinking with chemo, it pretty much determined they were. Pet scans are not always accurate either way...sherryg683

[Susan2]

FYI - I had an ovary light up on a PET scan. However, when I had an ultrasound, the results came back showing normal activity. Six months later, I had a follow-up PET scan without it lighting. So, it's not always a malignacy.

Take care,
Susan

[michele u]

Inflammation can light up also. Last time i did one my thryoid lit up. It was nothing. Cells that turn over fast show up, and the thyroid does that.