New Use for PET Scans

Picture Your Future

A recent study indicates that PET imaging may be useful in determining treatment for people suffering from cancer in the upper stomach and lower esophagus. It has been believed (due to research) that chemotherapy used both before and after surgery for this kind of cancer may help improve the outcome of the surgery. However, this hasn't been the case for all patients, meaning that some people have undergone the negative effects of chemotherapy without any positive results.

PET scans may be able to assist in determining the effectiveness of pre-surgical chemotherapy to avoid extended unnecessary chemo treatment. This would not only prevent all of the sickness and discomfort associated with chemotherapy but would also allow patients and doctors to work together early on in treatment to determine the best options for the patient. Studies of this use of PET imaging are not complete but they're looking good for people suffering from this type of cancer.

Learn more from Cancer News.

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