Positron emission tomography (PET) in oncology: current applications and future perspectives

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET), particularly dual-modality imaging systems (PET/CT or PET/MRI), has evolved from being a research tool into a valuable clinical modality, particularly in the field of oncology. Currently, most of the PET/CT examinations are done with FDG when assessing glucose metabolism in tumors. FDG PET or PET/ CT has been proven to be a valuable method in staging, restaging, therapy response assessment, early recurrence detection, and in unknown primary focus localization. However, PET/CT has its limitations, leading to both falsepositive and false-negative results. Proper design and/or choice of an alternative tracer may overcome those problems as well as give better insight into tumor biology and result in more thorough assessment and effective therapeutic approach in patients with cancer.