PET/Computed Tomography Scanning and Precision Medicine: Esophageal Cancer

PET Clin. 2017 Oct;12(4):373-391. doi: 10.1016/j.cpet.2017.05.001. Epub 2017 Jul 28.

Abstract

Esophageal cancer commonly has a poor prognosis, which requires an accurate diagnosis and early treatment to improve outcome. Other modalities for staging, such as endoscopic ultrasound imaging and computed tomography (CT) scans, have a role in diagnosis and staging. However, PET with fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose/CT (FDG PET/CT) scanning allows for improved detection of distant metastatic disease and can help to prevent unnecessary interventions that would increase morbidity. FDG PET/CT scanning is valuable in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy assessment and predicting survival outcomes subsequent to surgery. FDG PET/CT scanning detects recurrent disease and metastases in follow-up.

Keywords: Esophageal cancer; Esophageal carcinoma; FDG PET/CT; PET; PET/CT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods*
  • Precision Medicine*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18