A Regional Positron Emission Tomography Center: Assessment of Initial Results

Abstract

The first regional positron emission tomography (PET) center was established in the Chelyabinsk Regional Clinical Oncology Dispensary. PET in combination with computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed in 374 patients with cancer of various sites. The first results of this investigation have indicated that PET/CT is a high-information tool to estimate the extent of malignant tumors; PET/CT could change the stage of the disease and accordingly choose a proper treatment policy in 22.3% of cases. The study contributed to the early detection of recurrences in patients after combination treatment. PET/CT enhanced the effective evaluation of chemotherapy, which led to its timely correction in a number of cases.