Gallium-67 tumor scanning

Abstract

Since its introduction in 1969, 67Ga has become the most widely employed tumor-scanning agent in nuclear medicine. While 67Ga is far from being the ideal tumor-scanning agent, it remains the best available isotope for this purpose. Gallium-67-citrate has been found to be of value in the staging and reevaluation of lymphomas as well as in detecting the extent and recurrence of lung tumors, breast tumors, malignant melanomas, testicular tumors, brain tumors, and malignant lesions involving the liver. In order to obtain maximum diagnostic value from gallium scanning, several technical factors have to be taken into consideration as well as an understanding of the nature of "false-positive" scans.