F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in the Evaluation of Distant Metastases From Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

FDG-PET is not a sensitive imaging modality for the evaluation of metastatic RCC and may not adequately characterize small metastatic lesions. However, positive FDG-PET is predictive for the presence of RCC in lesions imaged, may complement anatomic radiologic imaging modalities, and may alleviate the need for a biopsy in selected situations. A negative FDG-PET, however does not rule out active malignancy.