Positron emission tomography in gastric and esophageal cancer

Gastroesophageal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography could add significant diagnostic information to the different phases of patient management. At initial diagnosis of esophageal cancer, positron emission tomography detects more distant lymph node and organ metastases compared with conventional diagnostics, allowing a more accurate selection of the most appropriate treatment. Serial 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography performed before and during chemotherapy allows early identification of nonresponding tumors. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography performed after a treatment allows accurate assessment of the residual tumor load. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography allows accurate detection and restaging of recurrent disease.