PET/CT Modifies Management for Cancer Patients
A feature article published in the Health Imaging Magazine detailed the benefits of imaging with combined PET/CT for patients with cancer. This approach collects both functional and anatomical information. As such, the modality provides valuable information at diagnosis to guide staging and, equally useful, to monitor response to therapy.
Numerous reports from the literature have highlighted the value of PET/CT for a variety of different cancers. Malignancies for which this imaging approach holds value include lymphoma, breast, colorectal and esophageal cancers. PET provides clinicians with information about tumor activity, which improves the ability to delineate disease locations as well as the appropriate treatment approach.
Other clinicians have adopted PET/CT for lung cancer staging. One physician quoted in the HealthImaging piece noted that findings from such has changed treatment plans in almost one third of patients evaluated based on the additional information procured. PET/CT, for example, may detect metastatic disease that was not expected or is in a location not suspected (many cancers are more likely to metastasize to particular areas). The benefits of a complete disease picture is significant improvements to staging.
An additional benefit from PET/CT assessment is noted by radiation oncologists. Imaging can assist with targeting radiotherapy, as well as measure ongoing response to that treatment modality. The two modalities combined provide optimal information about disease location and cell activity.
Some of the newer generation PET/CT systems can actually scan patients in a shorter time period. As well, the studies provide higher rates of accuracy and patients are more comfortable during the procedure. And, phantoms are being developed to help compensate for normal patient breathing, which may alter images.
A study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine noted the utility of this modality to assess the pediatric population, particularly those patients with non-CNS malignancies. Findings from that work were posted on HospitalBuyer. Other studies on HospitalBuyer have particularly noted the benefits associated with PET alone.
Ongoing research is being conducted through the National Oncology PET Registry. This effort will evaluate the utility of PET/CT for various types of malignancy. Preliminary data suggests that combined imaging with PET/CT offers benefits for many malignancies.
March 12, 2008 Related topics: Imaging, Diagnostic, Hematology & Oncology