Recent advances in oncological imaging

Multislice computed tomography is the most important advance in mainstream oncological imaging Improved contrast mechanisms in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide the ability to visualise function superimposed on morphology Advances in technology have significantly improved the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasound and reduced its operator dependent nature Positron emission tomography using 2-[F-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose now enables a management change in a substantial number of patients, with applications in the characterisation of indeterminate lesions, for staging and grading malignancy, monitoring response to treatment and predicting relapse following definitive treatment Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI is useful for detection and characterisation of lesions based on their vascular characteristics MR spectroscopy can provide information on tumour grade and be used to monitor tumour response to therapy Molecular imaging using tumour-specific radiolabelled agents is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.