PET/CT
What is PET/CT Used For?
Oncology
PET/CT is primarily
used to:
- Evaluate lung nodules
- Stage and re-stage
various tumors
- Determine tumor
response to radiation,
radiofrequency ablation,
and/or chemotherapy
- Diagnose recurrence
of tumor growth after
surgical removal
- Decide the best location
for biopsying a
suspected tumor
- Differentiate radiation
necrosis from new
tumor growth
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PET/CT is particularly effective in identifying whether cancer is present or not, if it has
spread, if it is responding to treatment, and if a person is cancer-free after treatment.
Cancers for which PET/CT is considered particularly effective include lung, head and neck,
colorectal, esophageal, lymphoma, melanoma and breast, as well as a variety of other
tumors for which the utility of PET/CT is currently under investigation.
Early Detection
Because PET/CT images biochemical activity, it can accurately characterize some tumors as
benign or malignant, thereby avoiding surgical biopsy when the PET/CT scan is negative.
Conversely, because a PET/CT scan images the entire body, confirmation of distant metastases
can alter treatment plans, in certain cases, from surgical intervention to chemotherapy.
Staging of Cancer
PET/CT is extremely sensitive in determining the full extent of disease, especially in lymphoma,
malignant melanoma, breast, lung and colon cancers. Confirmation of the presence
or absence of metastatic disease allows the physician to more effectively decide how to
proceed with the patient’s management.
Lung cancer pre-radiofrequency ablation (above), Lung cancer post-radiofrequency ablation (below).
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Checking for Recurrences
PET/CT is currently considered to be the most accurate diagnostic procedure to differentiate
tumor recurrences from radiation necrosis or post-surgical changes in many types of cancer.
Such an approach allows for the development of a more rational treatment plan for the patient.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Chemotherapy
The level of tumor metabolism is compared on PET/CT scans taken before and after a
chemotherapy cycle. PET/CT can provide important information about the effectiveness of
a chemotherapy treatment plan.
Neurological Disease
PET/CT’s ability to measure metabolism has significant implications in localizing the site
or origin of epilepsy, because it can vividly illustrate areas where brain activity differs from
the norm. PET/CT can also be used to differentiate Alzheimer’s disease from other causes
of dementia in cases where the clinical picture is atypical.
Alzheimer's disease |
Cardiovascular Disease
By measuring both perfusion and metabolic activity within the heart, PET/CT scans can
pinpoint areas of decreased blood flow, such as that caused by artery blockages, and can differentiate
muscle damage from living muscle. This information is particularly important in
patients who have had previous myocardial infarction and who are being considered for
a revascularization procedure.
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