Download Nuclear Medicine: Gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer
Definition
Gastrointestinal cancer (GI) occurs when there are uncontrolled, abnormal cells growing in the gastrointestinal tract. GI cancers can
appear anywhere along the long twisting tube that includes the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine (which includes the
colon), rectum and anus (Discovermi.org - SNM, 2011).
Role of molecular imaging
Molecular imaging has become an essential tool in the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
Positron emission tomography (PET) and PET combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) are used to diagnose the disease and
monitor treatment. PET/CT imaging is used in various forms of GI cancers:
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Gastric cancer (Discovermi.org - SNM, 2011)
o To determine response to therapy
Small bowel tumors (Discovermi.org - SNM, 2011)
o To diagnose and monitor the treatment
Esophageal, pancreatic and gastric (stomach) cancers
o To pinpoint the location of the spread of cancer
GI lymphoma (Discovermi.org - SNM, 2011)
o To establish size, level of progression and stage
o To monitor response to treatment for Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
o To distinguish whether there has been a recurrence
Colorectal cancer
o Assess level of disease progression and whether metastasis is present (SNM, 2009)
o Helps monitor effectiveness of treatment (SNM, 2009)
o Distinguish whether there has been a recurrence at completion of treatment (SNM, 2009)
o Provides valuable information for physicians to make better informed decisions on patient management (SNM, 2009)
Radiopharmaceutical
Manufacturer
Fluorine-18
fluorodeoxyglucose
Various
Indium-111 pentetreotide
Covidien
Trade names
Approved indications in adults
(pediatric use as noted)
As a PET imaging agent to:
 Assess abnormal glucose metabolism
TM
Octreoscan
An agent for the scintigraphic localization of
primary and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors
bearing somatostatin receptors
MSDS and package insert information
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