title: Positron Emission Tomography for the Response Evaluation following Treatment with Chemotherapy in Patients Affected by Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Selected Review.
abstract: The aim of the present paper is to review the scientific literature concerning the usefulness of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of response to chemotherapy in patients affected by liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Material and Methods. Studies were identified by searching PubMed electronic databases. Both prospective and retrospective studies were included. Information regarding the figure of merit of PET for the evaluation of therapy response was extracted and analyzed. Results. Existing data suggests that (18)F-FDG PET/CT may have an outstanding role in evaluating the response. The sensitivity of PET in detecting therapy response seems to be greater than conventional imaging (CT and MRI). PET/CT response is strictly related to better overall survival and progression-free survival. Conclusions. PET/CT is more than a promising technique to assess the response to chemotherapy in colorectal and liver metastases. However, to be fully validated, this examination needs further studies by recruiting more patients.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2140-7040
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaniboni
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Department, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giordano
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4898-7647
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Savelli
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Department, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pizzocaro
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Department, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Department, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Massetti