Authors' objectives:

1. What is the clinical effectiveness of positron emission tomography (PET) in oncology compared to computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when used
as an adjunct to CT or MRI?
2. What are the indications for PET use in oncology?

Authors' recommendations: The studies that are included in this review suggest that PET may be similarly or more effective than other imaging modalities (CT or MRI) in some oncologic indications. There is moderate-quality evidence that PET is effective in the diagnosis or detection of cancer of the breast, pancreas, head and neck, and lung (solid pulmonary nodules).Low-quality, consistent evidence suggests that PET may be useful in the diagnosis of cancer of unknown primary origin when conventional workup has failed. Evidence that is reported to be of high quality is available for the use of PET in the staging of NSCLC. Staging or restaging in colorectal, esophageal, head and neck, and breast cancer is supported by moderate-quality evidence. Some evidence suggests that PET may be useful in the staging of lymphoma. The use of PET to monitor treatment response in lymphoma and metastatic breast cancer is supported. PET that is used to restage or detect residual disease or recurrence (in local or distant sites) in colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, lymphoma (NHLs), and breast cancer is supported by evidence that is reported to be of moderate quality. This information and an evaluation of the impact of PET on patient management and assessments of costeffectiveness would contribute to informed decision-making.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/M0001_PET_for_Oncology_L3_e.pdf

Year Published: 2010

URL for published report: http://cadth.ca/en/products/cadth-overviews/vol-1-issue-4/cadth-overview-vol1-issue-4-28

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)