A Clearer Path with PET/CT Scans
A PET/CT scan pairs functional and anatomical imaging in one exam, helping your care team see both how tissues are behaving and exactly where that activity is occurring. This combination makes PET/CT a valuable tool for guiding diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning.”
What Is PET/CT Imaging?
PET/CT stands for positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography. The PET portion shows molecular or metabolic activity from a radiotracer, while the CT portion helps localize that activity to specific anatomy.
This combination can help referring physicians evaluate both biological behavior and anatomical location in one study. Depending on the clinical question, PET/CT may support diagnosis, staging, therapy planning, treatment-response assessment, surveillance, or clarification of findings from other imaging exams.
PET/CT is not the right study for every patient or every clinical question. The appropriate exam depends on the patient’s medical history, symptoms, referring provider order, radiotracer availability, and the specific question being evaluated.
Built for Referring Physicians Who Need Clear, Timely Imaging
UniThera Medical Imaging is designed to support physicians who need responsive scheduling, reliable coordination, and clinically meaningful PET/CT imaging.
Our team helps referring offices move patients through the imaging process with fewer administrative barriers. Prior authorization is secured before the appointment whenever required, and appointments are typically available within 24 hours, with same-day scheduling when available.
For referring providers, PET/CT can be especially valuable when the clinical question depends on molecular activity, treatment response, disease extent, or findings that may not be fully characterized by anatomical imaging alone.
Clinical Uses of PET/CT Imaging
PET/CT supports a broad range of evaluations across molecular imaging. By combining radiotracer activity with CT localization, it can help referring physicians better understand disease behavior, clarify findings, and guide next steps in care.
Depending on the radiotracer and clinical indication, PET/CT may be used to evaluate:
Oncology evaluation, staging, and restaging
PET/CT is widely used in oncology because it can show areas of abnormal molecular activity and localize those findings to CT anatomy.
Depending on the disease type, radiotracer, and clinical question, PET/CT may support initial staging, restaging, recurrence evaluation, treatment planning, or assessment of disease extent.
Treatment response monitoring
PET/CT can help physicians evaluate how disease activity changes after treatment, especially when the question involves metabolic or receptor-based activity rather than anatomy alone.
This can be useful when anatomical changes lag behind biological response or when physicians need additional context to guide next steps.
Prostate cancer imaging
PSMA PET/CT may support evaluation of prostate cancer extent, recurrence, and selected treatment-planning questions when clinically appropriate.
For patients being considered for certain radiopharmaceutical therapy pathways, PET/CT may help connect molecular findings with eligibility and treatment planning.
Neuroendocrine tumor evaluation
Somatostatin receptor PET/CT may support evaluation of neuroendocrine tumors by identifying receptor-positive disease and helping physicians understand disease distribution.
This information can support staging, treatment planning, follow-up, and selected radiopharmaceutical therapy-related decisions.
Infection and inflammation imaging
FDG PET/CT may help localize inflammatory or infectious activity in selected clinical scenarios where functional information can add value.
It may be considered for complex cases involving suspected infection, inflammatory disease, postoperative anatomy, or findings that are difficult to characterize with structural imaging alone.
Cardiovascular evaluation
Depending on the protocol and local availability, PET imaging may support selected cardiac questions such as perfusion, metabolism, viability, or inflammation.
The appropriate cardiac PET/CT protocol depends on the indication, ordering provider, and available radiotracer.
Neurologic evaluation
Selected PET/CT studies may support neurologic evaluation by assessing patterns of brain metabolism or other molecular activity.
Clinical uses may include certain tumor, seizure-related, cognitive, or other specialty questions when ordered by the referring physician.
Therapy planning and radiopharmaceutical therapy support
PET/CT can support selected therapy pathways by identifying molecular targets, evaluating disease distribution, and helping physicians connect imaging findings with potential treatment options.
Its role depends on the radiotracer, disease type, and treatment being considered.
What Patients Can Expect
A PET/CT appointment usually begins with a radiotracer injection. After the radiotracer is administered, there is typically a waiting period while it distributes in the body. The timing depends on the type of PET/CT study being performed.
During the scan, our patients will be asked to lie on a table while the scanner captures PET images and CT images. We ask our patients to remain as still as possible so that images can be aligned and interpreted accurately.
Preparation instructions vary by exam. Some PET/CT studies may require fasting, blood sugar guidance, medication instructions, or hydration instructions. Patients will always receive study-specific guidance before their appointment.
PET/CT Availability
PET/CT imaging is available through select UniThera Medical Imaging locations. Availability may vary by site, protocol, radiotracer supply, and clinical indication.
View our locations to find the UniThera Medical Imaging site most relevant to your patient or appointment request.
Standard of Care
Exceptional support before, during, and after imaging
UniThera Medical Imaging is designed to make advanced imaging easier to access, easier to coordinate, and easier to trust.
Scheduling
Appointments are typically available within 24 hours, with same-day scheduling when available.
Authorization
Our team secures prior authorization before every appointment.
Access
Direct, convenient parking is available steps from our front door.
Support
A clinical support team helps patients and referring physicians move imaging forward.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about PET/CT imaging, scheduling, referrals, preparation, and what patients can expect.
What is PET/CT imaging?
How is PET/CT different from a regular CT scan?
Is PET/CT only used for oncology?
Do patients need a physician referral?
How quickly can PET/CT imaging be scheduled?
What preparation is needed before PET/CT?