Recommendations on the application of positron emission tomography in oncology

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a modern functional imaging method with proven value in diagnosing, staging, evaluating of response to anticancer therapy and detecting of relapses in numerous neoplasms. Utility, sensitivity and specificity of PET has increased by its use in combination with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance in form of fusion PET-CT or PET-MR and the introduction of new radiotracers. This paper, prepared based on scientific evidence by a multidisciplinary group of authors, presents the utility and clinical recommendations for the application of PET-CT in oncology. PET-CT is particularly useful for:

— appropriate diagnosis and initial staging of patients with head and neck, lung, pancreatic and esophageal cancers as well as lymphomas, advanced melanomas and tumors of unknown primary site;

— detection of relapses inpatients with colorectal, thyroid, ovarian, head and neck, and breast cancers, as well as lymphomas;

— monitoring of response to therapy in patients with testicular and lung cancers, lymphomas and some types of sarcomas. PET-MR is particulary useful in pediatrics.