Gamma Camera Based FDG PET in Oncology

Positron Emission Tomography(PET) was introduced as a research tool in the 1970s and it took about 20 years before PET became an useful clinical imaging modality. In the USA, insurance coverage for PET procedures in the 1990s was the turning point, I believe, for this progress. Initially PET was used in neurology but recently more than 80% of PET procedures are in oncological applications. I firmly believe, in the 21st century, one can not manage cancer patients properly without PET and PET is very important medical imaging modality in basic and clinical sciences. PET is grouped into 2 categories : conventional(c) and gamma camera $based_{(CB)}$ PET. $_{CB}PET$ is more readily available utilizing dual-head gamma cameras and commercially available FDG to many medical centers at low cost to patients. In fact there are more $_{CB}PET$ in operation than cPET in the USA. $_{CB}PET$ is inferior to cPET in its performance but clinical studies in oncology is feasible without expensive infrastructures such as staffing, rooms and equipments. At Ajou university Hospital, CBPET was installed in late 1997 for the first time in Korea as well as in Asia and the system has been used successfully and effectively in oncological applications. Ours was the fourth PET operation in Korea and I believe this may have been instrumental for other institutions got interested in clinical PET. The fellowing is a brief description of our clinical experience of FDG CBPET in oncology.