A member asked:

Ct scan from 1 month ago showed my lung nodule grew 1 mm. will a pet w/ ct tell me if its cancer?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

PET scan: Tumors generally have a higher metabolic rate and a pet ct make use of this. Tumor usually lights up on a pet scan. If the tumor nodule is very small it will likely be missed on a pet scan.

Answered 3/24/2014

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Dr. Barry Sheppard answered

Specializes in Thoracic Surgery

No: A PET scan looks at tissue uptake of radiolabelled sugar. Cancers and infections take "light up" on PET/CT scans whereas scar tissue does not. A biopsy is needed to tell if a nodule is a cancer. A PET/CT may indicate the need for a biopsy if it is positive.

Answered 6/3/2019

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