[PET/CT and radiotherapy: indications and potential applications].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Radiotherapy

Background:

• Advanced imaging techniques have significantly improved radiation oncology practice over the last decade.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) provides insights into tumoral biological mechanisms, complementing morphological data from computed tomography (CT).
• Hybrid PET/CT systems have emerged, prompting research into their optimal application in cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an exhaustive review of PET/CT applications in modern radiotherapy, from diagnosis to follow-up.
• To serve as a user guide for radiation oncologists on utilizing PET/CT effectively.
• To update practices regarding radiotracer selection and tumor delineation methods.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of published research on PET/CT in radiotherapy up to December 2011.
• Focus on various aspects: biopsy guiding, treatment planning, dosimetry, response evaluation, prognostic value, follow-up, and recurrence detection.
• Organization of information by primary tumor location with illustrative examples.

Main Results:

• PET/CT integration optimizes therapeutic intervals and locoregional disease control while minimizing side effects.
• The choice of radiotracer and delineation methods are crucial for optimizing PET/CT practices.
• PET/CT aids in biopsy guidance, treatment planning, response assessment, and early detection of recurrence.

Conclusions:

• PET/CT is a valuable tool in radiation oncology, offering a comprehensive approach to cancer management.
• Continued research and updates are necessary to fully leverage PET/CT's potential in radiotherapy.
• This review provides radiation oncologists with current knowledge and future perspectives in the expanding field of PET/CT.