Potential of PET in oncology and radiotherapy

In summary, in addition to its use and value in RTP and research, functional imaging with PET can be utilised in a variety of applications for the research and therapy of cancer. Its value in the elucidation of pathophysiological processes, development of anticancer drugs and as a response and prognostic indicator is likely to increase by the day. PET imaging and data interpretation is truly multidisciplinary, requiring co-operation between animal biologists, pharmacologists, physicists, PET technicians, data modellers, radiochemists and clinicians. Finally, the importance of development and validation of methodology and the need for carefully planned studies prior to the universal adoption of novel radioligands, methodology and machines cannot be over emphasised. Functional PET imaging has tremendous potential and we need to harness it in order to use it successfully. © 2005 The British Institute of Radiology.