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18F-DG PET/CT can highly increase the detection of colorectal cancer
October 11, 2007Combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) is currently widely used in the clinical diagnosis of cancer to provide functional and morphological imaging. The value of PET/CT in detection of the recurrence and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) was recently confirmed in an article appearing in the October 7 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.
The research performed at the Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, China. Dr. Chen and his colleagues observed a total of 68 postoperative CRC patients, 48 male and 20 female, who were examined in the Jinling Hospital PET/CT Center between August 2004 and August 2006. After PET/CT imaging, recurrence and/or metastasis were confirmed in 82.4% (56/68) of the patients, with 91.7% (22/24) cases with elevated serum CEA levels. PET/CT detected more lesions than CT or ultrasonography alone in 30.4 % (17/56) of the cases of recurrence and/or metastasis.
CRC is the most common gastrointestinal malignancy, and its incidence and mortality are rising in China. Radical resection remains as the major means of CRC management, but recurrence and/or metastasis occurs in 30 to 50 percent of patients after surgery. An accurate diagnosis of postoperative local recurrence and distant metastasis is crucial for prescribing optimal individualized management and thus elevating the survival rate. However, CRC is not normally detected by traditional imaging techniques, such as CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, until the lesion reaches a considerable size.
PET/CT imaging provides a whole-body overview in one examination, and can detect abnormal glucose metabolism before the morphological changes of a lesion can be identified. In the current study, the treatment plans of 16.2% (11/68) of the cases were altered based on the PET/CT findings. Local metastasis focus was detected in the liver or lung in three cases; accordingly surgical resections were conducted instead of intravenous chemotherapy. Conversely, disseminated metastases were detected in six cases, and thus intravenous or oral chemotherapy was prescribed instead of surgery.
To most CRC patients, the cost of PET/CT is more expensive than traditional imaging techniques. However, Dr. Chen believes an optimal, individualized treatment plan is the most important aspect of treating this malignancy, as such a plan can indeed prolong the life and lessen both the mental and economical burdens of patients.
The researchers demonstrated the superiority of 18F-DG PET/CT in the imaging diagnosis of the postoperative recurrence and/or metastasis of CRC by conducting a retrospective study of 68 patients. Their findings are valuable when considering the choice of imaging techniques for detecting the recurrence and/or metastasis of CRC.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
PET/CT imaging provides a whole-body overview in one examination, and can detect abnormal glucose metabolism before the morphological changes of a lesion can be identified. In the current study, the treatment plans of 16.2% (11/68) of the cases were altered based on the PET/CT findings. Local metastasis focus was detected in the liver or lung in three cases; accordingly surgical resections were conducted instead of intravenous chemotherapy. Conversely, disseminated metastases were detected in six cases, and thus intravenous or oral chemotherapy was prescribed instead of surgery.
To most CRC patients, the cost of PET/CT is more expensive than traditional imaging techniques. However, Dr. Chen believes an optimal, individualized treatment plan is the most important aspect of treating this malignancy, as such a plan can indeed prolong the life and lessen both the mental and economical burdens of patients.
The researchers demonstrated the superiority of 18F-DG PET/CT in the imaging diagnosis of the postoperative recurrence and/or metastasis of CRC by conducting a retrospective study of 68 patients. Their findings are valuable when considering the choice of imaging techniques for detecting the recurrence and/or metastasis of CRC.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
PET/CT Current Events and PET/CT News RSSMolecular imaging technology used in gastric cancer
Modern cancer care is critically dependent on imaging technologies, which are used to detect early tumors and guide their therapy or surgery. Molecular imaging technologies provide information about the functional or metabolic characteristics of malignancies, tumor stage and therapeutical response, and tumor recurrence; whereas conventional imaging technologies predominantly assess the tumor's anatomical or morphologic features including its size, density, shape, etc.
PET/CT scan could be valuable noninvasive tool for determining stages of ovarian cancer
Combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scanning of patients in the early stages of ovarian cancer can enable physicians to determine whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes without having to perform surgery.
New possibilities for breast cancer treatment on the horizon
he first patient scans from a custom-built scanner combining positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) technologies indicate that these scans could significantly improve breast cancer imaging capabilities and lead to more targeted treatment options, according to researchers at SNM's 55th Annual Meeting.
Scans spot hidden tumors in rare cancer syndrome
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute report that full-body PET/CT scanning detected unsuspected, treatable tumors in 3 of 15 patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a rare genetic cancer syndrome for which no screening tests have been recommended.
PET/CT planning beneficial for head and neck cancer patients
Using a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography for radiation therapy treatment planning in head and neck carcinoma patients provides for excellent, local and regional disease control when compared to CT alone.
PET/CT Imaging Proves Golden for Detecting Cancer in Children
PET/CT imaging exhibits significantly higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than conventional imaging when it comes to detecting malignant tumors in children.
How can we know early who will benefit from tumor target therapy?
The precise tailoring of tumor target treatment for patients with cancer is an unmet challenge. The goal is to only administer treatments that have a high probability of being effective.
FDG-PET Imaging Clearly Predicts Lung Cancer Patients' Response to Chemotherapy
An earlier indication of whether chemotherapy benefits non-small cell lung cancer patients—provided by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging—can guide doctors in offering them better care, according to researchers in the May Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Two Studies: Speeding Development of Novel Tracer for Prostate Cancer
The collaborative work being performed by professionals across medical disciplines in the promising area of molecular imaging-from research scientists to nuclear medicine physicians, urologists, radiochemists and even veterinarians-provides encouraging news in fighting prostate cancer.
Whole-body scans may provide option for diagnosing colorectal cancer
Preliminary research suggests that whole-body PET and CT scans could provide a suitable method for diagnosing the stage of colorectal cancer, according to a study in the December 6 issue of JAMA.
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