Current status and perspectives of PET molecular imaging in Mexico

Positron-emission tomography (PET) is a medical diagnostic technique by means of which functional images are obtained by recording the spatio-temporal biodistribution of specific radiopharmaceuticals targeted at specific molecular objectives, which provides biochemical information at the molecular level. Early in the first decade of this 21st century, the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico acquired the technology to implement this diagnostic technique in Mexico, thus becoming a pioneer in PET applications in the country and in Latin America. Almost two decades after its implementation in Mexico, PET has become an essential tool in medical clinics. This article describes the background, current state and perspectives of PET molecular imaging in Mexico, and the impact it has had on the management of patients with oncological, neurological and heart diseases.