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Published on: Apr 30, 2022
2 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

What Is PET Scan ?

A PET scan (positron emission tomography) is a type of imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to look for changes in the function of cells and tissues. A tracer is a substance that is introduced into the body to make it easier to see certain areas or organs. The radioactive tracer used in PET scans emits positrons, which are tiny particles that collide with electrons in the body. This creates gamma rays that can be detected by a scanner and used to create images of the inside of the body. PET scans are often used to diagnose cancer because tumor cells typically have higher levels of activity than normal cells. They can also be used to check for treatment response, measure tumor size, and identify new tumors.

PET Scan is a nuclear medicine imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive material, called a tracer, to look for disease in the body. A PET Scan can show how well organs and tissues are working. It can help find cancer, heart problems, and other diseases. A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is a medical imaging test that helps physicians diagnose and treat diseases. PET scans use a small amount of radioactive material, called a tracer, to help physicians see how organs and tissues are functioning. The radioactive tracer is injected into the patient's body and travels to the organ or tissue being studied. Physicians can then see where the tracer collects on an image of the organ or tissue.

A PET scan is helpful in diagnosing cancer, heart disease, brain disorders, and other diseases. It can also help determine how well treatment is working. PET Scan is an acronym for Positron Emission Tomography. It's a type of medical imaging that uses a small amount of radioactive material to help diagnose and treat medical conditions. A PET scanner creates 3D images of the inside of the body. PET (positron emission tomography) scans use a small amount of radioactive material called a tracer to help doctors see certain areas of the body. The tracer is injected into a vein, and images are taken as it moves through the body.

PET scans are often used to find cancer because tumors absorb more of the radioactive material than normal tissue does. PET scans can also be used to measure blood flow, check how well drugs work, and see how active the brain is. A PET scan is a type of imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to look at the function and structure of organs and tissues in your body. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into your bloodstream and then scanned by a special camera. The camera creates pictures that show where the material has collected. This can help doctors see how well an organ is working or find tumors or other problems.

PET scan is short for positron emission tomography. It's a type of medical imaging that uses a radioactive tracer to look at organ function or tissue metabolism. The tracer is a small amount of radioactive material that's injected into the patient's bloodstream. It collects in organs and tissues, and a scanner detects the radiation emitted as it decays. This information is used to create cross-sectional images of the body that show how the organs and tissues are working. PET scans are most often used to detect cancer because tumors consume more energy than normal tissue and therefore have a higher metabolic rate. But they can also be used to evaluate other problems, such as heart disease, brain function, and joint damage.

PET scanning is a type of nuclear medicine imaging. A small amount of radioactive glucose (FDG) is injected into a vein and images are taken as the glucose moves through the body. Cancer cells use more energy than normal cells and therefore absorb more of the radioactive glucose. This allows tumors to be visualized on the scan. PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. A PET scan is a medical imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to look at organs and tissues inside the body. The tracer is injected into a vein, and images are taken as it moves through the body.

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How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Patient Care in India

As a clinician working closely with patients across urban clinics and remote teleconsultation setups, I have seen firsthand how delayed diagnosis, fragmented follow-up, and specialist shortages affect outcomes in India. Artificial intelligence is not a futuristic concept in Indian healthcare anymore. It is actively reshaping how we diagnose diseases, monitor patients, and prevent complications.

AI, when used responsibly under clinical supervision, is becoming a critical support system for doctors and a powerful safety net for patients navigating a complex healthcare ecosystem.

Why India’s Healthcare System Needs AI

India’s healthcare challenges are deeply structural. A large population burdened by lifestyle diseases, combined with uneven access to medical expertise, creates gaps that traditional systems struggle to bridge.

In daily practice, we increasingly see patients presenting late with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or cancer. Many ask a simple but important question: why was this not detected earlier? The answer often lies in limited screening, overloaded clinicians, and lack of continuous monitoring.

Chronic conditions dominating Indian clinics today include:

Diabetes affecting over 100 million individuals.
Hypertension rising even among young adults.
Cardiovascular disease driven by late detection.
Increasing cancer incidence with delayed diagnosis.

AI matters here because it supports earlier identification of risk patterns, reduces diagnostic delays, and allows clinicians to focus on decision-making rather than data overload.

How AI Is Changing Medical Diagnosis

One common concern patients raise during consultations is whether AI can truly diagnose diseases accurately. In practice, AI does not replace a doctor. It acts as a high-speed analytical assistant.

AI in Imaging and Diagnostics

AI systems can rapidly analyse:

X-rays and CT scans.
MRI images.
Mammograms.
Pathology slides.
Cardiac and neurological imaging.

These tools flag abnormalities within seconds, allowing doctors to prioritise critical findings. Clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals have shown that AI models can match specialist-level accuracy for specific imaging tasks when used correctly.

From a physician’s perspective, the real benefit is not speed alone. It is consistency. AI reduces the risk of missed findings during high-volume diagnostic workflows, especially in resource-constrained settings.

Can AI Monitor Patients Outside Hospitals

Patients managing chronic illness often ask whether technology can help them avoid repeated hospital visits. AI-enabled remote monitoring is one of the most meaningful advances in this area.

AI-Supported Remote Patient Monitoring

AI continuously evaluates trends in:

Blood pressure.
Heart rate variability.
Blood glucose patterns.
Oxygen saturation.
Physical activity and sleep quality.

Rather than reacting to a single abnormal value, AI identifies worsening trends over time. Clinically, this allows early intervention before complications escalate.

Evidence from global health system studies shows that continuous monitoring can significantly reduce avoidable hospital admissions, particularly for diabetes, heart disease, and elderly patients.

Using AI to Predict and Prevent Chronic Diseases

Preventive healthcare remains underdeveloped in India. Most patients seek care after symptoms appear. AI helps shift this model.

By analysing medical history, lifestyle habits, vitals, and environmental factors, predictive models can estimate:

Future heart attack risk.
Progression of diabetes.
Decline in kidney function.
Stroke probability.
Asthma exacerbation triggers.

Patients often ask if AI can really prevent disease. Prevention here means early warnings. When risk patterns are detected early, doctors can adjust treatment plans, recommend lifestyle changes, and prevent irreversible damage.

Personalised Treatment in a Diverse Indian Population

Indian patients differ widely in genetics, diet, stress patterns, and cultural habits. Standardised treatment protocols often fall short.

AI supports personalised care by analysing:

Medication responses.
Dietary intake.
Blood markers.
Sleep and stress trends.
Coexisting medical conditions.

For example:

In diabetes care, AI helps personalise carbohydrate distribution and medication timing.
In hypertension, it identifies sodium sensitivity and stress-related spikes.
In hormonal conditions like PCOS, it aligns nutrition and activity with cycle patterns.

From a clinical standpoint, personalised insights improve adherence and reduce relapse rates.

AI-Enabled Telemedicine and Smarter Consultations

Telemedicine has become an essential part of care delivery in India. Patients frequently ask whether online consultations are as effective as in-person visits.

AI enhances telemedicine by:

Structuring symptom inputs before consultations.
Routing patients to the appropriate specialist.
Generating concise medical summaries for doctors.
Supporting follow-up reminders and medication adherence checks.

When used correctly, AI reduces diagnostic delays and improves consultation efficiency without compromising safety.

Expanding Healthcare Access Beyond Cities

A major question in public health is whether AI can truly improve rural healthcare access. In practice, it already is.

AI enables:

Remote diagnostics supported by portable devices.
Virtual specialist consultations for rural clinics.
Smartphone-based imaging and screening tools.
AI-guided triage in underserved regions.

By reducing dependence on physical proximity to specialists, AI helps bridge longstanding geographical barriers in India’s healthcare system.

Safety, Ethics, and the Role of Doctors in AI Care

Patients rightly express concern about safety, privacy, and over-reliance on technology. These concerns are valid.

Responsible AI use in healthcare requires:

Transparent algorithms.
Explicit patient consent.
High-quality, verified medical datasets.
Strict data privacy safeguards.
Continuous clinical supervision.

In ethical practice, AI outputs never replace medical judgment. Doctors remain accountable for decisions. Human-in-the-loop verification is essential to ensure patient safety and trust.

What This Transformation Means for Indian Patients

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing patient care in India by making healthcare more proactive, more precise, and more accessible. From early diagnosis to personalised treatment and continuous monitoring, AI empowers both patients and clinicians with data-backed clarity.

SecondMedic’s patient-first approach integrates AI as a clinical support system, not a replacement for doctors. By combining medical expertise with digital intelligence, the goal remains simple: better outcomes, earlier intervention, and care that adapts to each patient’s real-world needs.

As clinicians, our responsibility is to ensure that technology serves patients ethically and effectively. When used with care and oversight, AI has the potential to redefine healthcare delivery across India in a way that is inclusive, preventive, and sustainable.

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