What is the definition or description of: pet-ct breast cancer staging?

PET - CT: Pet-ct scans are a means of combining the x-ray of a ct scan with the functional study of a pet scan. The pet scan can see over-active cells that are actively using glucose. The over-active cells may represent cancer cells and is a means of telling if cancer cells are spreading or growing somewhere in the body. The ct scan may see a growth & the pet scan can see if the growth has overactive cells.

Imaging test: This test is performed by the nuclear medicine department. You are giving an infusion of glucose that has a radio-tracer attached to it. This glucose is taken up by cells in the body. Cells that are multiplying faster (i.e. Cancer cells) will take up more of this special glucose. Then pictures are taken of your body that can detect the special glucose in your body.