18F-FDG PET/CT for image-guided and intensity-modulated radiotherapy.
Advances in technology have allowed extremely precise control of radiation dose delivery and localization within a patient. The ability to confidently delineate target tumor boundaries, however, has lagged behind. (18)F-FDG PET/CT, with its ability to distinguish metabolically active disease from normal tissue, may provide a partial solution to this problem. Here we review the current applications of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in a variety of disease sites, including non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This review focuses on the use of (18)F-FDG PET/CT to aid in planning radiotherapy and the associated benefits and challenges. We also briefly consider novel radiopharmaceuticals that are beginning to be used in the context of radiotherapy planning.
Ford
Eric C
EC
Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA. eric.ford@jhmi.edu
Herman
Joseph
J
Yorke
Ellen
E
Wahl
Richard L
RL
D000818:Animals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18