OBJECTIVES: Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT scan) is costly, complex, and multi-component and requires equipment and highly qualified professionals. Its inclusion in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) was late, only occurring in April/2014, and restricted to specific indications in three neoplasms: non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and lymphomas. We analyzed the installed capacity of PET-CT and the production of imaging tests to examine its effective incorporation and access in the SUS.

METHODS: Public data for the period from April/2014 to December/2022 were used. The total number of registered PET-CTs and equipment available in the SUS by Brazilian state and region were extracted from the National Registry of Health Establishments (CNES) to examine the installed capacity. The production of PET-CT exams by state and region and the total amount paid by SUS was verified in the Outpatient Information System

RESULTS: The first records of the equipment in the CNES took place in November/2014 in São Paulo. The total number of PET scans increased 20 times (from 6 to 120). The increase in the number of equipment available to SUS was lower (13.4 times). In December/2022, there were 67 PET scans in the SUS (55.8% of the total existing equipment), corresponding to a ratio of 0.03 /100,000 inhabitants. There is an unequal geographical distribution of installed capacity, concentrated mainly in the Southeast and Northeast regions and in state capitals. The first procedures at SUS were approved in January/2015. A total of 162,871 PET-CT procedures were approved and paid for by the SUS until November/2022, corresponding to a total amount paid of BRL 343,241,904.97.

CONCLUSIONS: There has been no inclusion of new clinical indications for PET-CT for SUS coverage since 2014. This fact and the small equipment/population ratio may indicate difficulties in accessing the PET-CT procedures offered by the SUS.