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CC BY 4.0 · Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2023; 44(03): 308-313
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1760308
Review Article

Imaging Recommendations for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Oncology

Arvind K. Chaturvedi
1   Department of Radiology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi, India
,
Abhishek Mahajan
2   Department of Radiodiagnosis, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
Saugata Sen 
3   Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Shivakumar S. Swamy
4   Department of Radiology, HCG, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
Diva Shah
5   Department of Radiodiagnosis, HCG Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
,
Nivedita Chakrabarty
6   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Imaging studies are central to the initial staging and follow-up management of cancers. In the past, oncologists have largely relied on anatomical imaging for staging, restaging, and therapy monitoring. The introduction of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and its availability has transformed the practice of cancer imaging. PET-CT is an imaging technique that provides complementary information to imaging by CT or magnetic resonance imaging alone as it incorporates functional imaging to the anatomic information. It actually embeds tumor biology on the anatomical image. There are significant contributions of the CT component in adding value to the strength of PET-CT. PET-CT is useful for initial staging of cancers. It is particularly useful in detection of distant metastases, in assessing response to therapy and in detection of recurrence. Its utility in restaging and follow-up of cancers is now well established. Its role varies across different primary cancer sites. To cover the role of PET-CT in all cancer types is neither the intention nor feasible in a single article. In this article, an attempt will be made to highlight the generic concepts of PET-CT imaging and its role in primary staging and post-therapy follow-up across some common malignancies. Its pitfalls and limitations will also be discussed.

Keywords

imaging - oncology - PET-CT


Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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