Evaluating the Use of 18F-FDG PET CT for External Beam Radiotherapy Planning in Gynaecological Malignancies

Abstract

Purpose of review: To evaluate the evidence for the use of fluorine-18-fluorodeoyglucose (18F-FDG) PET CT in external beam radiotherapy planning for treatment of gynaecological malignancies.

Recent findings: Our review confirms that the incorporation of 18F-FDG PET CT during radiotherapy planning may decrease inter-observer variability during target delineation. It can also provide useful functional information regarding the tumour, which may facilitate the development of techniques for dose escalation and 'dose painting' not only for primary disease, especially in cervical cancer, but also nodal metastasis. The utilisation of this functional modality in external beam radiotherapy planning, particularly in locally advanced cervical malignancy, is an exciting topic that warrants further prospective research. Perhaps the most valuable role may be the potential to deliver dose escalation to 18F-FDG PET CT avid targets previously limited by organ at risk constraints, now that we have significantly more advanced radiotherapy planning tools at our disposal.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; EBRT; Gynaecological malignancies; PET CT; Radiotherapy planning.