The Role of PET Image Quantification in Modern Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy has established itself as a key modality for definitive and palliative treatment of oncologic patients. Advanced radiation therapy techniques use sophisticated treatment planning strategies to generate 3 dimensional dose distributions, which closely fit areas of cancer and decrease the radiation exposure to normal tissues. Quantitative PET imaging with multiple tracers (eg, fluorodeoxyglucose, FMISO, and prostatic-specific membrane antigen) is playing an increasing role in radiotherapy (RT) planning before, during, and following therapy administration for improved target delineation and response assessment. Emerging technologies are integrating PET with RT delivery.