Lordick Florian, Ruers Theo, Aust Daniela E, Collette Laurence, Downey Robert J, El Hajjam Mostafa, Flamen Patrick, Haustermans Karen, Ilson David, Julié Catherine, Krause Bernd Joachim, Newiger Hartwig, Ott Katja, Roth Arnaud, Van Cutsem Eric, Weber Wolfgang A, Lutz Manfred P
National Centre for Tumour Diseases, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Eur J Cancer. 2008 Sep;44(13):1807-19. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.06.005. Epub 2008 Jul 17.
Metabolic imaging and early response assessment by positron emission tomography (PET) are gaining importance in guiding treatment of localised and metastatic gastrointestinal tumours. During a workshop organised by the European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer Group the most relevant research questions, methodological aspects and unmet clinical needs in this disease were discussed. Potential future trials were drafted. This paper reviews the lectures and discussions held during this workshop and summarises the action points for the further investigation of metabolic imaging to guide treatment in gastrointestinal tumours.