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Positron Emission Tomography

Positron Emission Tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
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

Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that provides crucial insights into the body's physiological functions at a molecular level. It is an indispensable resource for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring various illnesses, notably cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
Fundamental Principles of PET

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Positron Emission Tomography-based Dose Painting Radiation Therapy in a Glioblastoma Rat Model using the Small Animal Radiation Research Platform

Positron Emission Tomography-based Dose Painting Radiation Therapy in a Glioblastoma Rat Model using the Small Animal Radiation Research Platform

Published on: March 24, 2022

Physical radiotherapy treatment planning based on functional PET/CT data.

Daniela Thorwarth¹, Xavier Geets, Marta Paiusco

¹Section for Biomedical Physics, University Hospital for Radiation Oncology, Tübingen, Germany. daniela.thorwarth@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

|August 3, 2010

Summary

Positron emission tomography (PET) enhances radiotherapy (RT) planning by improving tumor delineation and enabling dose painting strategies. Further research is needed to validate these molecular imaging techniques for clinical use.

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Area of Science:

Oncology
Radiotherapy
Medical Imaging

Background:

Positron emission tomography (PET) offers molecular insights into the tumor microenvironment beyond anatomical imaging.
Integrating PET data into radiotherapy (RT) planning holds significant potential for improving treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the integration of functional PET imaging into RT treatment planning.
To discuss strategies like target volume delineation and dose painting (by contours and by numbers).
To identify limitations and uncertainties in physical dose painting treatment planning.

Main Methods:

Review of current and potential strategies for incorporating PET data into RT planning.
Discussion of dose painting by contours (DPBC) and dose painting by numbers (DPBN).
Consideration of isotoxicity planning to protect organs at risk.

Main Results:

PET imaging can enhance target volume delineation in RT planning.
Dose painting strategies (DPBC, DPBN) offer potential for escalated, localized radiation doses.
Several factors, including PET voxel size, image acquisition/reconstruction uncertainties, registration reproducibility, tracer characteristics, dose calculation, and delivery techniques, pose limitations.

Conclusions:

Molecular imaging with PET has the potential to significantly improve target volume delineation in RT.
Dose painting remains a theoretical concept requiring further validation and research into its influencing factors.
PET-based treatment alterations may become a future standard in oncology care.