Positron emission tomography, also known as PET scanning, has evolved significantly over the past decade thanks to ongoing technological advances. PET scanning utilizes radioactive tracers to produce three-dimensional images of metabolic processes in the body. Currently, the most common PET radiotracer is fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a glucose molecule attached to a radioactive fluorine-18 atom. FDG is used to visualize glucose metabolism throughout the body as a marker for disease detection and evaluation.
In recent years, Positron Emission Tomography Scanners have benefited from resolution recovery techniques that enhance image quality compared to earlier generation systems. New time-of-flight PET technologies are able to better localize the origin of gamma ray signals emitted during radioactive decay, improving contrast in PET images. Software advances allow for better correction of physical effects like attenuation and scatter that degrade image quality. Integrated PET/CT scanning provides highly accurate anatomical localization of metabolic findings seen on PET images.
Widespread Adoption of PET Scanning
As PET technology has advanced, clinical applications of PET scanning have expanded greatly. While originally used primarily for cancer imaging, PET is now routinely utilized across many medical specialties. In oncology, PET/CT is established for diagnosis, staging and restaging, treatment planning, and monitoring response to therapy. PET also shows value for cardiovascular disease including detection of coronary artery disease.
Neurology and neurosurgery have embraced PET for localization of seizure foci as well as evaluation of brain tumors, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Psychiatry and addiction medicine utilize PET to study brain chemistry in disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and substance abuse. Bone scanning with specialized PET isotopes aids detection and management of musculoskeletal conditions. Even applications in urology, gynecology and pediatric oncology are being explored.
Growing Demand Fuels PET Market Growth
As clinical acceptance and insurance reimbursement has increased, the PET scanner market has expanded dramatically. Growing demand is expected to continue as the population ages and more indications for PET emerge. Market research projects annual global spending on PET systems to reach over $2 billion by 2025. The installed base of PET scanners worldwide has more than doubled in the past decade and is still growing rapidly with need greatly outpacing supply in many areas.
Market saturation remains low in developing countries, representing future potential for PET suppliers. Mobile or regional PET imaging centers are springing up in underserved communities. Novel applications such as monitoring treatment response and tumor recurrence also raise the medical value of PET procedures and utilization rates. As a result, scanner manufacturers are struggling to keep up with escalating demand for new systems and upgrades to older PET/CTs.
Pushing Technical Boundaries
To stay competitive and tap into expanding PET markets, manufacturers are continually pushing radiotracer and imaging technology to new levels. Major areas of ongoing innovation include development of novel PET probes, further resolution and sensitivity gains, and multimodality fusion. Novel PET tracers target an ever-widening range of molecular pathways to enable imaging of new disease processes.
Combined PET/MRI systems promise unparalleled soft tissue contrast for applications like breast and prostate imaging without ionizing radiation risks. Commercial introduction of total-body PET enables scanning from head to toe in a single pass for disease staging. Experimental super resolution techniques aim to visualize structures at the submillimeter scale. Continuous advances ensure PET will remain at the cutting edge of molecular imaging and significantly impact patient care into the future.
Rising Capital Investment Needs
As both clinical and technological frontiers of PET expand, scanner vendors face growing challenges to fund research pipelines and scaling of production facilities. Significant capital is required for next-generation system development involving advanced detector technologies, data processing capabilities and platform integration. Emerging theranostics combining PET imaging agents with targeted radionuclide therapy also necessitate large R&D expenditures.
Global Positron Emission Tomography Scanners leaders must make strategic decisions around market expansion, manufacturing infrastructure, and joint ventures versus acquisitions. Multinational partnerships are increasingly common to optimize resources across geographies and mitigate risks. Governmental and private investment will likely play a role in accelerating innovations to address healthcare needs. With PET remaining a hot growth area, capital availability should support both existing vendors and new entrants aiming to develop groundbreaking solutions.
