Radiation Risk and Optimization in PET/CT Scan

PET/CT scan is advanced medical technologies used by millions of people worldwide each year to detect diseases such as cancer at an early stage. This scan is powerful because it allows doctors to see the functional and anatomical details of tumour cells. The procedure operates at a molecular level, providing crucial information for accurate diagnosis. However, while PET/CT scans offer invaluable benefits, they also expose patients to ionising radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays from the radioactive substances used in the procedure. This exposure brings certain risks that must be carefully managed.
As a nuclear medicine physicist, I have faced the challenge of optimising diagnostic performance with radiation safety in my daily work. This book was written to ensure that PET/CT scan remain as safe and effective as possible for everyone. It is designed for general readers, hospital staff, medical professional and anyone who are curious about how PET/CT scan work, how radiation is used, and what radiation risks mean in practice.