title: Diagnostic and prognostic application of positron emission tomography in breast imaging: emerging uses and the role of PET in monitoring treatment response.
abstract: Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging modality that using radiotracers, permits real-time dynamic monitoring of biologic processes such as cell metabolic behavior and proliferation, and has proven useful as a research tool for understanding tumor biology. While it does not have a well-defined role in breast cancer for the purposes of screening, diagnosis, or prognosis, emerging PET technologies and uses could expand the applications of PET in breast cancer. Positron emission mammography may provide an alternative adjunct imaging modality for the screening and diagnosis of high-risk patients unable to tolerate MRI. The development of radiotracers with the ability to measure hormonal activity could provide a non-invasive way to assess hormone receptor status and functionality. Finally, the role of PET technologies in monitoring early treatment response may prove particularly useful to research involving new therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 4 Maloney, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. jessica.cintolo@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Jessica Anna
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cintolo
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tchou
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Pryma
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D004958:Estradiol; C043436:16-fluoroestradiol; C002854:alovudine