THE POSSIBILITIES OF COMBINED POSITRON-EMISSION AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSTICS AND STAGING OF COLON TUMORS

Abstract

In our study 106 patients with colorectal tumors were examined using combined positron-emission and computer tomography before surgical treatment and after complex therapy. Malignancies of the colon were characterized by the wall thickening or infiltration with inhomogeneous uptake of the contract media and increased uptake of 18F-deoxyglucose. In metastatic lymph nodes the typical features were their enlarging and the increased metabolism of radiotracer. In patients with hepatic metastases there were increasing of 18F-deoxyglucose uptake and focal decreasing in density. If recurrences were found, an additional tissue with the increased inhomogeneous 18F-deoxyglucose uptake could be seen. Using combined positron-emission and computed tomography it can be possible to provide more accuracy in staging of the colorectal malignancies. After complex treatment the recurrences and distant metastases can also be found more accurately