Status of Positron Emission Tomography in Japan.
In 1997, 11,040 PET examinations were estimated to have been performed on humans in 24 PET facilities in Japan. PET procedures were used for the studies of the brain (45.0%), tumors (31.3%), and heart (22.9%). (18)F labeled tracers are most frequently utilized followed by (15)O, (13)N, and (11)C labeled tracers in that order. Instrumentations used for PET including cyclotrons and PET scanners are listed. Status of clinical PET and future strategy in our national health insurance system is described. PET examinations performed for clinical oncology and research in our institute are discussed.