POSITRON-EMISSION-TOMOGRAPHY IN UROLOGICAL ONCOLOGY

Purpose: We provide scientists and clinicians with an introduction to the basic principles and methods of positron emission tomography (PET) and summarize the recent research and clinical applications of PET in the urological field. Specifically, we introduce PET so that the read er can understand and objectively review current and future articles t hat involve this imaging technology. Materials and Methods: The recent applications of PET in urology in the published literature were searc hed and reviewed. Results: In prostate carcinoma preliminary studies u sing radiotracer 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) demonstrated that PET cannot reliably differentiate between primary prostate cancer and beni gn prostatic hyperplasia, and that PET is not as sensitive as bone sci ntigraphy for the detection of osseous metastases. However, PET may ha ve a role in the detection of lymph node metastases in patients with p rostate specific antigen relapse after primary local therapy. In renal cell carcinoma recent studies have shown the ability of FDG PET to de tect primary and metastatic lesions and to monitor response to therapy . In the staging of testicular cancer FDG PET has been used to differe ntiate viable carcinoma from benign teratomas and/or fibrotic or necro tic changes. Conclusions: Current developments in PET technology that accurately stage the extent of tumor before surgery as well as monitor effectiveness or ineffectiveness of new or current therapies may make PET a valuable tool in research and in the management of urological d iseases.