title: Clinical molecular imaging with positron emission tomography.
abstract: Molecular imaging allows for the in vivo evaluation of targeted molecules and biological processes in man. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a highly sensitive and quantitative molecular imaging modality, whose utility in clinical and experimental medicine is increasing by the day. In this article, the principles of PET and its currently accepted applications in oncology, such as cancer staging, treatment response assessment and as a prognostic marker are reviewed. Further, the evolving role of PET in areas of oncology such as radiotherapy treatment planning, anti-cancer drug development and the evaluation of patho-physiological processes which drive a cell into neoplastic activity is discussed.
authors.affiliation: The University of Manchester Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, 27 Palatine Road, Withington, Manchester, M20 3JL, UK. azeem.saleem@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Azeem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Charnley
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; C002854:alovudine