Role of PET in Peritoneal Cavity Malignancies: Strengths and Short Coming

Peritoneal carcinomatosis range from invisible on imaging to innumerable masses throughout peritoneum encasing and invading visceral
Appears as diffuse, low-level uptake over involved peritoneal and serosal surface
Useful for
Evaluation of abnormal CT or MRI findings suspicious or inconclusive for metastases when this information will change management.
Evaluation of biochemical relapse (rising CEA or CA-125)
Malignant peritoneal   mesothelioma pretreatment evaluation in patients being considered for surgery


False-negative results occur with subcentimeter lesions, mucinous tumors, and signet ring cell cancer
Sensitivity for detecting peritoneal carcinomatosis ranges 78-100%; highest

sensitivity with suspected clinical or biochemical relapse.

Reported sensitivity of 92% for detecting recurrent ovarian cancer
Reported sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 77% for detecting biochemically recurrent colorectal cancer