title: [Molecular imaging in oncological surgery: technical principles and importance].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnostic imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) is becoming increasingly more involved in oncological therapy management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  How can PET be helpful in oncological surgery?
  
  
  METHODS
  After a short introduction into the basic principles of PET the current state of imaging as well as indications and limitations of the method are described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PET is a functional and quantitative imaging technique, enabling detection and characterization of tumors. It is applied in pretherapeutic staging as well as in follow-up and therapy assessment. The use of PET changes the therapy management in about one third of all oncology patients. New radiopharmaceuticals and novel technologies expand the diagnostic potential.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hybrid imaging with PET computed tomography (CT) and PET magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) further improves diagnostic imaging and increases the acceptance of PET further.
authors.affiliation: Technische Universität Dresden, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland, joerg.kotzerke@mailbox.tu-dresden.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kotzerke
mesh_terms: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006019:Glycolysis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D066066:Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18