Role of FDG PET-CT in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer represents the second most common malignancy worldwide and is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Rectal cancer comprises over a third of all colorectal cancers and while colonoscopy and biopsy remain the gold standard modality for the initial diagnosis, imaging is vital with regards to the local staging and the identification of distant metastatic disease. As a whole-body imaging technique FDG PET-CT (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography) has the unique capability of providing local staging for the tumour and distant metastatic disease assessment in a single imaging test. This chapter covers the role, strengths and limitations of FDG PET-CT for diagnosis, initial staging (local and metastatic disease), restaging and response assessment in patients with colorectal cancer.