Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a radioactive glucose molecule used in medical imaging, particularly in positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Since cancer cells often consume more sugar than normal cells, FDG helps doctors identify areas of high metabolic activity, which can indicate tumors or disease. During the procedure, a small amount of FDG is injected into the patient, and after a brief waiting period, images are taken to visualize how the body is metabolizing sugar. This information assists in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring cancers and other conditions.