This state-of-the-art technology pinpoints tumors and helps to determine if they are benign or malignant. Used primarily for cancer cases, PET imaging also can be used for cardiology and neurology clinical patient management.

"PET imaging is a precise and noninvasive diagnostic test that can save lives," said Dr. James V. Rawson, Medical Director of Radiology at MCG HealthCare and Interim Chairman of the Department of Radiology at the Medical College of Georgia. "PET is a safe, painless and cost-effective medical technology utilized to show the function of a body organ at the cellular level."

The patient is injected with a glucose tracer that helps the radiologist or nuclear physician see the PET image. A special camera is then used to take an image of the patient to see how the body processes the glucose. In the image, the abnormal tissue will be highlighted, which assists the physician to interpret the extent of disease. The test takes about one hour.

"This procedure provides detailed information that allows us to detect and treat a disease early in its course. Because a PET scan can detect sites of cancer not seen by other imaging techniques, it can be used to more effectively select patients who are likely to benefit from surgery," said Dr. Rawson.

MCG Healthcare is the health system of the Medical College of Georgia and is comprised of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the School of Medicine and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.