PET Molecular Imaging in Breast Cancer: Current Applications and Future Perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Positron emission tomography (PET) is integral to modern breast cancer management.
• 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET is widely utilized for staging, detecting recurrence, and evaluating treatment efficacy.
• Emerging technologies like PET/MRI and AI are transforming breast cancer imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current applications of PET imaging in breast cancer.
• To explore novel radiopharmaceuticals and their role in precision therapy.
• To discuss the future potential of advanced PET techniques in breast cancer care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on FDG-PET utility in breast cancer.
• Discussion of novel radiopharmaceuticals targeting tumor-specific biological pathways.
• Exploration of integrated imaging modalities like PET/MRI and AI applications.

Main Results:

• FDG-PET effectively aids in staging, recurrence detection, and treatment response assessment.
• Novel radiopharmaceuticals offer targeted approaches for precision therapy.
• PET/MRI and AI demonstrate potential for improved diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment.

Conclusions:

• PET imaging, particularly FDG-PET, is indispensable in breast cancer management.
• Future directions involve advanced PET techniques and targeted therapies for personalized patient care.
• Integration of PET with MRI and AI will likely enhance diagnostic capabilities and treatment strategies.