Positron emission tomography in testicular cancer

02/2021

Doc. MUDr. Tomáš Büchler, Ph.D.; MUDr. Aneta Rozsypalová; MUDr. Ludmila Boublíková, Ph.D.

Onkologická klinika 1. LF UK a Fakultní Thomayerovy nemocnice, Praha

SUMMARY

Positron emission tomography using 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) enables imaging based on the metabolic activity of the imaged tissue by evaluating the activity of glucose metabolism. There are numerous applications for the method in testicular germ cell neoplasms, especially for evaluation of residual tumor or for assessing treatment toxicity such as bleomycin-induced pneumonitis. The importance of FDG-PET is growing especially in advanced tumors and high-risk patients. Here we review indications and limitations of the method in testicular cancer.

Key words

FDG-PET, testicular cancer, tumor residue, toxicity