Oncologic Applications: Colorectal Cancer

Lindsey

Colorectal cancer is the third most common non-cutaneous malignancy in the U.S. More than 153,760 new cases are detected annually, with 52,180 estimated deaths in 2007.

The use of FDG-PET in colon cancer is best used to accurately stage disease before resection, to confirm findings from conventional imaging studies before initiating treatment, and for restaging. Other indications for PET in colorectal carcinoma include: pre-operative staging prior to resection of recurrent disease, distinguishing local recurrence from post-operative scar, detection of hepatic and extrahepatic metastases in primary staging, and a rising carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level in the absence of a known source.

The links below will display a PET/CT scan of a patient with colorectal cancer with metastases to the liver.

http://theonlinelearningcenter.com/A...ColonCA1rs.jpg

http://theonlinelearningcenter.com/A...ColonCA2rs.jpg

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