18F-DG PET/CT can highly increase the detection of colorectal cancerOctober 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 |
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| Related PET/CT Current Events and PET/CT News Articles Scripps research scientists find new link between insulin and core body temperature A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a direct link between insulin-a hormone long associated with metabolism and metabolic disorders such as diabetes-and core body temperature. Combination of PET/CT tests can expedite diagnosis of lung cancer in a fast-track setting Research published in the October 2009 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology has found an effective combination of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) (PET/CT) tests to diagnose lung cancer in a "fast-tracked" outpatient setting. PET/CT scans may help detect recurring prostate cancer earlier A new study published in the September issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows that positron emission tomography (PET)/computer tomography (CT) scans with the imaging agent choline could detect recurring prostate cancer sooner than conventional imaging technologies in some patients who have had their prostates surgically removed. Hybrid Scanner Brings Molecular Functioning to the Forefront A major barrier to developing a hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system could be removed by using a novel approach for reconstructing data. MRI and PET/CT Improve Chances for Optimal Treatment and Minimal Complications in Cervical Cancer Patients Pretreatment MRI and PET/CT for cervical cancer may direct more women to optimal therapy choices and spare many women potential long-term morbidity and complications of trimodality therapy (surgery followed by chemoradiation), according to a study performed at the Institute for Technology Assessment in Boston, MA. PET/CT May Improve Prognosis for Patients With Inflammatory Breast Cancer In the largest study to date to evaluate fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in the initial staging of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), researchers were able to identify the precise location and extent of metastasis (spread of disease), offering the potential for a better prognosis for patients with this rare, but aggressive form of breast cancer. Molecular 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. More PET/CT Current Events and PET/CT News Articles |
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