“How accurate is a PET scan in diagnosing cancer?”
I am a 48 year old male. I want to know how accurate is a PET scan in diagnosing cancer?
2 Answers
RadiologistRadiologist
Depending of what type of tumor (squamous cell carcinoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma) is quite accurate. Adenocarcinoma is not that sensitive. PET scan is also positive in Sarcoidosis and inflammation. It can be false negative during chemotherapy and soon after treatment.
PET is not a reliable test for prostate cancer. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is also not very reliable for assessment of lymph nodes. Technetium-99 bone scan is reliable.
