Radiation exposure and risk-benefit analysis in cancer screening using FDG-PET: results of a Japanese nationwide survey
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT
Published on: January 22, 2018
Takeshi Murano1, Ryogo Minamimoto, Michio Senda
1Division of Cancer Screening, Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening, National Cancer Center, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan. tamurano@ncc.go.jp
Objective:
The aim of this study was to estimate radiation exposure and evaluate the risks and benefits of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in cancer screening.
Methods:
A nationwide survey of FDG-PET cancer screening was conducted in 2006, and the results were analyzed with a common index, "extension/shortening of the average life expectancy."
Results:
The average estimated effective dose was 4.4 mSv (male 4.7 mSv; female 4.0 mSv) for dedicated PET and 13.5 mSv (male 14.2 mSv; female 12.8 mSv) for PET/computed tomography (CT). The risk-benefit break-even age from the viewpoint of radiation exposure was in the 40s for men and 30s for women for dedicated PET and in the 50s for men and 50s (variable injection dose) or 60s (constant injection dose) for women for PET/CT.
Conclusions:
FDG-PET cancer screening is beneficial for examinees above the break-even ages. The risks and benefits should be explained to examinees because of the larger radiation used in cancer FDG-PET screening compared with other X-ray tests.
More Related Videos
06:53Management of Respiratory Motion Artefacts in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography using an Amplitude-Based Optimal Respiratory Gating Algorithm
Published on: July 23, 2020
10:02Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)
Published on: May 2, 2012
Related Concept Videos
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...
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