In the context of cancer, radioactive tracers are often employed in PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography) and SPECT scans (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography). These imaging techniques help visualize the metabolic activity of tissues. Cancer cells typically have higher metabolic rates than normal cells, causing them to absorb more of the radioactive tracer, which allows for the detection of tumors and metastatic sites.
