PET-CT
Pronunciation: pet-C-T
Hybrid imaging combining metabolic and anatomical information for cancer staging and monitoring.
Full Definition
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography is a hybrid imaging technique that combines the metabolic information from PET scanning with the anatomical detail of CT imaging. In gastrointestinal oncology, PET-CT is valuable for initial staging, detecting distant metastases, monitoring treatment response, and surveillance for recurrence. The most commonly used radiotracer is fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which accumulates in metabolically active tissues including most cancers. PET-CT can detect lesions that may not be visible on conventional imaging and helps distinguish between scar tissue and active tumor, particularly after treatment.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when referring to the combined imaging modality.
In Context
- "PET-CT revealed metabolically active disease in the liver and peritoneum." — Radiology report
- "Restaging PET-CT showed complete metabolic response to chemotherapy." — Oncology consultation