Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 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
Importance of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) examination in rectal cancer staging--initial
Olivera Ivanov1, Dejan Ivanov, Jasna Mihailović
11Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, 2Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, 3Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina; Sremska Kamenica; Serbia.
Aim:
Accurate preoperative staging is essential in determining optimal therapeutic procedures and planning for individual patients. Advances in imaging technology have raised interest in the potential role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) examination for staging of rectal cancer. The primary end point of the study was the correct classification of the tumor node-metastases (TNM) tumor stage using whole-body PET-CT examination.
Methods:
This prospective study was performed from October 2011 to October 2012. Patients with histopathological diagnosis of rectal cancer after biopsy underwent PET-CT before surgical treatment and TNM staging. Twenty patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were included in the study. All of the patients were operated and histopathology served as the standard of reference.
Results:
There was no statistical significance in T staging comparing PET-CT and histopathological staging, according to the Monte Carlo simulation (p=.066). Also, there was no statistical significance between two methods in mesorectal fascia involvement analysis (p=1). There was statistical difference between PET-CT and histopathological staging. Sensitivity of the PET-CT for N staging was 86.7% and it was higher than for the histopathology. Two patients showed liver metastases.
Conclusion:
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography examination could play an important role in the initial staging for the rectal cancer. Good patient selection for preoperative chemoradiotherapy ensures survival benefit. Avoidance of unnecessary therapeutic procedures allows an acceptable quality of patient's life.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Positron 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...
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
01:13Radiological 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...
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...