[The interest of PET (Positron Emission Tomography) for urothelial tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To study the state-of-the-art and potential applications of PET for urothelial tumors.


METHODS
We introduce the basics of the PET technique and perform a systematic bibliographic review on the use of PET in these tumors.


RESULTS
Clinical experience on PET in urothelial tumors is still limited. The main interest of this technique is detection and localization of lymph nodes and distant metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
PET may be useful in staging, re-staging and for recurrences of upper urinary tract tumors, allowing avoiding more invasive diagnostic methods and more aggressive therapies; nevertheless more extensive clinical studies are necessary to support this indications.
Jiménez Vicioso
Ana Ma
AM
Dpto. de Radiología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Servicio de Medicina Nuclear del Hospital Clinico Universitario de San Carlos de Madrid, Instituto PET FOCUSCAN S. L. Madrid, Espäna. focuscan@teleline.es
Torres Isidro
Victoria
V
Carreras Delgado
José Luis
JL
D000368:Aged; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology