PET scans are a form of nuclear medicine -- "nuclear ... like blood flow or glucose metabolism of the heart, Steiner explains. "However, PET does not show the heart's shape or volume," he adds.

On when should a patient get a PET scan for lung cancer evaluation, Dr Mutua says if a chest x-ray or chest CT scan reveals suspicious findings, a PET scan is the next appropriate step.

Can a patient have a CT scan, diagnostic X-ray examination or MRI scan on the same day as the PET/CT scan? » After a PET scan, how long does a patient need to wait before using public transportation ...