| Theme | Update of PET Diagnosis for Cancer of Digestive Organs | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | PET Diagnosis of Carcinoma in Digestive Organs | |
| Publish Date | 2009/03 | |
| Author | Masatoshi Ishibashi | Department of Radiology and PET Center, Kurume University, School of Medicine |
| Author | Hayato Kaida | Department of Radiology and PET Center, Kurume University, School of Medicine |
| Author | Seiji Kurata | Department of Radiology and PET Center, Kurume University, School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | FDG-PET imaging is a useful modality to judge the recurrence, metastasis, staging, or therapeutic effects of treatment in relation to malignant tumors. Although CTs, MRIs, and bone scintigraphy have been available for screening in respect to distant metastasis, FDG-PET is now available to non-invasively detect metastasis. However, there are tumorous lesions without any uptake of FDG, based on histopathology or size of carcinoma. Fortunately, a recent medical advance is the widespread use of PET/CT scans in the field of nuclear oncology. The fusion of CTs with PET scans is well known to compensate for the deficiencies of PET technology. Combined PET/CT technology may enhance the potential for diagnosis of carcinoma in digestive organs. Furthermore, PET/CT imaging, using contrast mediums or the new positron tracers has been used in clinical settings. We believe that PET/CT technology is a powerful tool to screen for metastasis in the diagnosis of carcinoma in digestive organs. | |