Lilie L. Lin

Cervical Cancer: Positron Emission Tomography and Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Imaging has not traditionally played a large role in the diagnosis and staging of cervical cancer. Staging of cervical cancer, due to the high incidence in developing countries, is largely based on clinical examination per the Internationale de Gynecologie et d’Obstetrique (FIGO) staging system. Conventional imaging has limited ability to detect small foci of disease. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) capitalizes on the increased metabolism of malignant cells and is useful in distinguishing benign from malignant disease, staging, and monitoring of response to therapy. Though the use of PET has only recently extended to cervix cancer, recent publications demonstrated an important role for PET in patients with cervix cancer. This chapter discusses the current role of PET in the evaluation and management of patients with cervix cancer.