title: Impact of whole-body 18F-FDG PET on diagnostic and therapeutic management of Medical Oncology patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most studies evaluating positron-emission tomography (PET) impact on decision making are based on questionnaires sent to referring physicians, with low response rates and potential bias. Studies directly evaluating influence of PET on routine management of Medical Oncology patients are scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively studied all patients evaluated by whole-body (18)F-FDG PET during 1 year in a Haematology/Oncology Department. We collected information regarding indication, PET results, modification of diagnostic and therapeutic management and adequacy of therapeutic changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred consecutive patients having PET were evaluated. Diagnostic strategy was modified in 63% of patients (30% avoiding biopsy). Therapeutic management was modified by PET in 34% of cases: changes were classified as adequate in 30% and as inadequate in 4% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows a major impact of PET in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of cancer patients and supports its introduction as a routine diagnostic tool in Medical Oncology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zafra
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Billalabeitia
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Cabezas
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Macías
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vicente
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18