title: Impact of PET/CT-Based Radiation Therapy Planning in Gastrointestinal Malignancies.
abstract: Many studies have explored the use of (18)F-flurodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) with CT for radiation therapy planning. The addition of PET/CT could improve tumor volume delineation, reduce geographic misses, and decrease treatment-related toxicity. For cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, the potential benefit of FDG-PET in radiation therapy management is less frequently studied. This article reviews the literature concerning PET/CT in radiation treatment planning. PET/CT appears to have an impact on tumor volume definition. More studies are needed to determine the impact of PET/CT-based radiation therapy on local control, patterns of failure, and treatment-related toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 97, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Chiaojung Jillian
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Prajnan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Das