Adoption of CT colonography by US hospitals.

Purpose: Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) is a new noninvasive technology proposed as an option for colorectal cancer screening. The purpose of this study was to identify the percentage of US hospitals that offered CTC between 2005 and 2008 and factors that motivated or impeded adoption.

Methods: Data on the provision of colorectal cancer screening services by nonfederal, general hospitals were analyzed using the 2005 to 2008 American Hospital Association annual surveys.

The National Lung Screening Trial: overview and study design.

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) is a randomized multicenter study comparing low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) with chest radiography in the screening of older current and former heavy smokers for early detection of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Five-year survival rates approach 70% with surgical resection of stage IA disease; however, more than 75% of individuals have incurable locally advanced or metastatic disease, the latter having a 5-year survival of less than 5%. It is plausible that treatment should be more effective and the likelihood of death decreased if asymptomatic lung cancer is detected through screening early enough in its preclinical phase.

Implications of new colorectal cancer screening technologies for primary care practice.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reduces the risk of CRC mortality but is currently not well utilized, with adherence only 50% in the eligible U.S. population and rates that lag behind those for breast and cervical cancer.

A prospective analysis of positron emission tomography and conventional imaging for detection of stage IV metastatic melanoma in patients undergoing metastasectomy.

Background: Positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG-PET) is available for evaluation of patients with melanoma. This study evaluates the potential of FDG-PET to improve on conventional imaging (CI) in patients with stage IV melanoma undergoing metastasectomy.

Methods: This was a prospective study comparing radiological evaluation of patients who underwent metastasectomy for palliation or cure.

In-111 DTPA-octreotide scintigraphy for disease detection in metastatic thyroid cancer: comparison with F-18 FDG positron emission tomography and extensive conventional radiographic imaging.

Purpose: The utility of In-111 DTPA octreotide scintigraphy (SRS) for disease detection in patients with metastatic thyroid carcinoma (TCA) remains controversial. The authors compared the sensitivity of In-111-based SRS, F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), and extensive conventional radiographic imaging (CRI) in this type of cancer.

Methods: SRS, FDG PET, and CRI were performed concurrently in 21 patients (age, 56.

The role of 18F-FDG-PET in the local/regional evaluation of women with breast cancer.

Purpose: In women with breast cancer, knowledge of the local/regional extent of the tumor is essential for staging, treatment planning, monitoring response to therapy, and follow-up. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an important imaging test which can detect tumor at multiple sites in women with breast cancer. We compared the ability of PET to provide a comprehensive view of the local/regional extent of tumor in women with stage I, II and stage III, IV breast cancer.