Applications of Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/Computed Tomography in the Assessment and Prediction of Radiation Therapy-related Complications

Sina Houshmand; Ben Boursi; Ali Salavati; Charles B Simone 2nd; Abass Alavi

doi:10.1016/j.cpet.2015.05.003

Applications of Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/Computed Tomography in the Assessment and Prediction of Radiation Therapy-related Complications

PET Clin. 2015 Oct;10(4):555-71. doi: 10.1016/j.cpet.2015.05.003. Epub 2015 Jul 3.

Authors

Sina Houshmand¹, Ben Boursi², Ali Salavati³, Charles B Simone 2nd⁴, Abass Alavi⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
² Department of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
³ Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
⁴ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
⁵ Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 26384600
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2015.05.003

Abstract

One of the most important aspects of cancer treatment is radiation therapy, which is used for a wide range of malignancies. However, this treatment modality has side effects that impose the patient to increased risks of mortality and morbidity. Total dose, fraction size, and duration of radiation therapy are among the factors contributing to toxicities. In recent decades, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/computed tomography (CT) has been extensively used for diagnosis, prognostication, response to treatment assessment, and management of cancers and is currently a standard modality for many cancers. This article discusses the role of PET/CT, and especially FDG-PET/CT, in radiotherapy complications.

Keywords: Cancer; Complications; Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/Computed tomography; Radiation therapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
Multimodal Imaging / methods
Organs at Risk / radiation effects
Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
Prognosis
Radiation Injuries / diagnosis*
Radiation Injuries / etiology*
Radiation Injuries / prevention & control
Radiopharmaceuticals
Radiotherapy / adverse effects*
Radiotherapy Dosage
Risk Assessment
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*

Substances

Radiopharmaceuticals
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18