What should you know about a normal PET scan?

Many PET examinations use FDG, a radiotracer taken up by cells that use glucose. Normal organs can show expected activity, and inflammation or infection can also produce uptake. The report may describe uptake as physiologic, absent, mild or not suspicious, and the radiologist considers the CT appearance at the same time.

If the scan was ordered for staging or to investigate an unexplained finding, a normal result may change the next step without ending the medical review. Comparison with earlier imaging can be particularly helpful. Read more about the [PET-CT Scanner](/technology/pet-ct-scanner/) and [PET-CT Scan](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/pet-ct-scan/).

Ask the clinician who requested the scan what question it answered and whether both the PET and CT components were reassuring. Confirm whether you need observation, another investigation or a routine appointment. Follow the imaging department’s instructions about drinking fluids, activity and contact with others after the tracer, because advice depends on the examination.

Keep the report with your other medical records. If the scan was part of an oncology assessment, the team may still use symptoms, examination, blood tests or tissue results to make decisions. A normal scan should not lead you to stop prescribed treatment without medical advice.

Seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, new chest pain, coughing blood, fainting, sudden weakness, confusion or a high fever. Emergency services are appropriate for collapse, blue lips, severe breathing difficulty or rapidly worsening symptoms. These decisions depend on what you are experiencing, not on the reassurance of an earlier scan.

Ask whether the scan found any incidental CT finding, whether the result changes your treatment or follow-up, and whether another test is needed for the original concern. You can also ask what the tracer showed, whether comparison scans were available and which symptoms should lead you to seek earlier review.