"This data should encourage molecular imaging practitioners to engage with referring physicians early in the process of cancer treatment," added Scott. "It is clear that PET had a significant impact for these patients and could be an indispensable part of the standards of care for oncologists."

According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States. Approximately 108,000 new cases of colon cancer and more than 40,000 cases of rectal cancer were diagnosed in 2007. It is estimated that nearly 50,000 Americans with colorectal cancer will die in 2008.


Coauthors of "PET Changes Management and Improves Prognostic Stratification in Patients with Recurrent Colorectal Cancer: Results of a Multicenter Prospective Study" include Andrew M. Scott, Centre for PET, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Austin Hospital, Victoria; Dishan H. Gunawardana and Amanda J. Byrne, Centre for PET, Austin Hospital, Melbourne; Ben Kelley, Southern X Ray Clinics, Wesley Hospital, Brisbane; John G. Stuckey, MIA, Monash Medical Centre-Moorabin Campus, Melbourne; Jayne E. Ramshaw, Australian and New Zealand Association of Physicians in Nuclear Medicine, Melbourne; and Michael J. Fulham, department of PET and nuclear medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and School of Information Technologies, University of Sydney, Sydney, all in Australia. The study was supported by the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aging as part of the Australian PET Data Collection Project.

Credentialed media: To obtain a copy of this article-and online access to The Journal of Nuclear Medicine- please contact Amy Shaw by phone at (703) 652-6773 or email ashaw@snm.org. Current and past issues of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine can be found online at jnm.snmjournals.org. A subscription to the journal is an SNM member benefit.

About SNM
SNM is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to raising public awareness about what molecular imaging is and how it can help provide patients with the best health care possible. SNM members specialize in molecular imaging, a vital element of today's medical practice that adds an additional dimension to diagnosis, changing the way common and devastating diseases are understood and treated.

SNM's more than 17,000 members set the standard for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine practice by creating guidelines, sharing information through journals and meetings and leading advocacy on key issues that affect molecular imaging and therapy research and practice. For more information, visit www.snm.org.

Back to HCB News

More Industry Headlines