Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Cervical Cancer

December 31, 2009 | Evidence Reports

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This report examines the use of PET/CT scanning for diagnosis of and management of cervical cancer. The use of PET/CT or PET for screening asymptomatic women for cervical cancer is beyond the scope of this report. Other diagnostic and imaging technologies are outside the scope of this report, as are any other issues, outcomes, patient categories, or questions about cervical cancer diagnosis and management not explicitly mentioned in the Key Questions.

Rapidly dividing tumor cells metabolize large amounts of glucose. The uptake of the radioactive tracer 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can be monitored by positron emission tomography (PET) and provide images of regional glucose metabolism. Areas of elevated metabolism, which may be tumor cells, can be visualized on the PET images. Non-invasive PET images may be able to accurately identify malignant cervical tissue.

Current clinical practice for cervical cancer is to use a combined computed tomography (CT)/PET scanner. The combined machine uses x-rays to generate anatomical images (CT scanning) upon which the PET images of metabolism can be overlaid on the workstation.

PET/CT is usually performed on an outpatient...

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