Applications of PET/CT in Oncology

Metabolic imaging using F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and PET/CT has become the cornerstone of oncologic imaging and has been shown to be useful in tumor staging and follow-up. PET/CT has also proven useful in predicting prognosis and treatment response. In certain diseases, such as lymphoma, higher FDG uptake is an indication of a higher grade malignancy.

	Indications:
		Differentiation of benign from malignant lesions.
		Staging of malignant disease.
	Evaluating chemotherapy response:
		Early: after one or two cycles of chemotherapy.
		Late: 3-4 weeks after completion of chemotherapy or 2-3 months following completion of radiotherapy.
		Differentiation of local recurrence from post-surgical or post treatment changes.

Detection of early recurrence or metastasis through timely follow-up testing.