Role of 18F-FDG PET in Assessment of Response in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Despite recognized limitations, structural imaging with CT remains the standard technique for evaluating the response of lung cancer to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This evaluation has become increasingly important with the advent of neo-adjuvant therapy before surgery. The high uptake of F-18-FDG in most lung cancers and the demonstration that successful treatment reduces uptake have led to increasing enthusiasm for the use of PET and PET/CT to assess the therapeutic response. In this review, theoretic considerations and current evidence supporting the role of F-18-FDG PET are discussed.