title: FDG-PET and PET/CT for Evaluating Soft Tissue Sarcomas.
abstract: Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors that generally present a poor prognosis. Recently, (18)F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) was introduced in clinical practice as a possible tool to improve the accuracy of staging these malignant diseases, assess the response to therapy, and as a new prognostic factor. Despite promising results presented in the recent literature, the role of PET imaging is not yet defined in the diagnostic flow chart of sarcomas. This article will describe the results reported in the literature on the use of FDG-PET/CT for the evaluation of patients with sarcoma. A short description of other PET tracers is also added.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Via Massarenti n. 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: cristina.nanni@aosp.bo.it.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nanni
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Via Massarenti n. 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fanti
keywords: FDG; Positron emission tomography; Soft tissue sarcomas