Diagnosis and monitoring of urological tumors using positron emission tomography
Related Experiment Videos
1Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Deutschland. c.hofer@lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Abstract:
The purpose of this article was to critically review the diagnostic value of positron emission tomography (PET) in urological oncology. Urinary tract tumor assessment is hampered by the renal elimination of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), the most commonly used PET radiopharmaceutical. PET imaging offers no significant benefits over conventional imaging modalities for renal cell and bladder carcinomas. As a result of the low metabolic activity of prostate cancer, PET does not differentiate adequately between adenoma and carcinoma, nor detect local recurrence after radical prostatectomy with sufficient sensitivity. However, lymph node staging with FDG-PET, specifically in bladder cancer, has been shown to have a potential clinical benefit. Further studies are required to determine the clinical value of retroperitoneal lymph node staging and recurrent disease detection in germ cell tumors. Finally, encouraging early results exist for the use of serial PET measurements to predict and assess therapy response to chemotherapy which may also be valuable in urological oncology.
Related Concept Videos
Positron Emission Tomography
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...
Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography