The use of functional IMAGING TECHNIQUES, such as FDG-PET and PET-CT, to manage patients with CERVICAL cancer is constantly increasing. Current roles include pretreatment staging and diagnosis of recurrent disease. Reports have also shown ability to predict survival based on pre- and posttherapy scans. Cervical cancer spreads primarily through direct extension, although lymphatic and hematogenous spread can result in distant metastases. Traditionally, clinical examination and cross-projectional imaging have been used to stage cervical cancer but are accurate in only 60% of CASES. Detection of lymphatic metastases seems to be more successful with functional imaging techniques, such as FDG-PET or PET-CT.

The use of functional imaging techniques, such as FDG-PET and PET-CT, to manage patients with cervical cancer is constantly increasing. Current roles include pretreatment staging and diagnosis of recurrent disease. Reports have also shown ability to predict survival based on pre- and posttherapy scans. Cervical cancer spreads primarily through direct extension, although lymphatic and hematogenous spread can result in distant metastases. Traditionally, clinical examination and cross-projectional imaging have been used to stage cervical cancer but are accurate in only 60% of cases. Detection of lymphatic metastases seems to be more successful with functional imaging techniques, such as FDG-PET or PET-CT.