Objectives: To study the state-of-the-art and potential applications of PET for urothelial tumors.
Methods: We introduce the basics of the PET technique and perform a systematic bibliographic review on the use of PET in these tumors.
Results: Clinical experience on PET in urothelial tumors is still limited. The main interest of this technique is detection and localization of lymph nodes and distant metastases.
Conclusions: PET may be useful in staging, re-staging and for recurrences of upper urinary tract tumors, allowing avoiding more invasive diagnostic methods and more aggressive therapies; nevertheless more extensive clinical studies are necessary to support this indications.