What is a "PET scan" primarily used for in clinical settings?

A PET scan, or Positron Emission Tomography scan, is primarily utilized to assess metabolic activity within the body, making it particularly effective for detecting cancer and brain disorders. This imaging technique works by using a small amount of radioactive material that is injected into the patient's body. This material emits positrons, which are detected by the scanner to create images that reflect the biochemical activity in tissues and organs.

In oncology, PET scans are invaluable for identifying tumors, determining their metabolic activity, and assessing how well treatment is working, as cancer cells typically exhibit higher metabolic rates than normal cells. In neurology, these scans can help diagnose and evaluate brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and others by visualizing areas of altered metabolism in the brain.

The other choices do not accurately represent the primary use of a PET scan. Monitoring heart function typically involves different modalities such as echocardiograms or cardiac stress tests. Detailed imaging of bones is usually performed using X-rays or CT scans. Evaluating lung function is generally accomplished with pulmonary function tests or imaging like chest X-rays or CT scans, rather than PET scans.

Thus, the primary role of a PET scan in clinical settings is centered around assessing metabolic activities which play a key role in diagnosing