Sarcomas are often characterised by significant histopathologic heterogeneity, both between and within tumours. This heterogeneity reflects physiologic, biochemical and genetic processes that are amenable to characterisation by functional imaging. Although anatomically based imaging modalities such as plain radiography, X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remain the primary diagnostic modalities for staging sarcomas, nuclear medicine approaches including gamma camera scintigraphy and positron emission tomography (PET) are being used increasingly to provide complementary information in specific clinical situations. These include biopsy guidance within anatomically complex masses, staging, therapeutic response assessment and evaluation of residual mass lesions after treatment. This review aims to address the range of nuclear medicine techniques available for evaluation of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. A subsequent review discusses the clinical application of these techniques with a particular focus on PET.

Author

Rodney J Hicks

Contact Details

Corresponding address:
Rodney J Hicks,
The Centre for Molecular Imaging, The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre,
12 Cathedral Place,
East Melbourne VIC 2002,
Australia

Reference

ICIS Cancer Imaging Volume 5 Issue 1
DOI: 10.1102/1470-7330.2005.0007

Date Posted

21 June 2005

Print PDF

Size

444.12 KB

Minimum Estimated Download Times

ADSL 2Mb/s (Broadband):	1 second
ADSL 512Kb/s (Broadband):	6 seconds
64 Kb/s (ISDN):	55 seconds
33.3 Kb/s (Typical Modem):	1 minute 46 seconds

Screen PDF

Size

369.46 KB

Minimum Estimated Download Times

ADSL 2Mb/s (Broadband):	1 second
ADSL 512Kb/s (Broadband):	5 seconds
64 Kb/s (ISDN):	46 seconds
33.3 Kb/s (Typical Modem):	1 minute 28 seconds

No part of this publication or site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publisher, e-MED Limited, Permissions, PO Box 61053, London, SE16 7YZ. Tel: +44 (0)207 719 8989 Fax: +44 (0)560 126 4446, permissions@cancerimaging.org.