Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging

Our advanced nuclear medicine and molecular imaging capabilities help us diagnose and treat a variety of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and gastrointestinal, endocrine, and neurological disorders.

What is nuclear medicine and molecular imaging?

Molecular imaging is a type of imaging that examines cells and molecules. While other imaging exams provide information about structures in your body such as organs, bones, and tumors, molecular imaging provides information about chemical processes and how your body works.

Nuclear medicine is a form of molecular imaging that uses small doses of radioactive material, called radioactive tracers or radiopharmaceuticals, to track chemical activity in your body. Abnormal cellular behavior, such as cancer cells that divide rapidly, usually indicates disease.

Recognized leaders in nuclear imaging

Penn Medicine is known throughout the U.S. and the world for our pioneering work in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. As the birthplace of nuclear tomographic imaging and the site of the first human FDG-PET scan (imaging test for cancer), we continue to innovate through research, clinical trials, and education.

A skilled team of board-certified nuclear medicine radiologists, biologists, chemists, pharmacists, physicists, nuclear medicine technologists, and specialized nurses perform and interpret your imaging studies. In addition, our facilities have accreditation from the American College of Radiology (ACR) in nuclear medicine/PET. Wherever you receive care from Penn Medicine in the Greater Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Princeton areas, you can trust the expertise of our providers and the quality of our services.

Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging services at Penn Medicine

We use a wide range of molecular imaging techniques to detect diseases as early as possible, often before they would be visible on other types of imaging scans. We also use molecular imaging to plan and deliver treatment, evaluate the effectiveness of certain therapies, and track disease progression.

Panoramic shot of Penn Medicine's downtown campus

Locations

Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.

Schedule an appointment

We can help you schedule an appointment or you can search our directory of specialists.