Assessing Therapy in Advanced Breast Cancer

Norbert Avril, chief of nuclear medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (PA, USA).

Traditional imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), plain film radiography, and ultrasound, do not accurately predict therapy response early in the course of treatment, according to Dr. Arvil. Chemotherapy is usually used to improve survival and quality of life. He said it is necessary to identify early those individuals who do not respond to chemotherapy "to avoid ineffective therapies and unnecessary side effects.”

Dr. Arvil reported in the study that the ability to customize treatment provides patients and clinicians with options not previously available. The study was published in the July 2005 issue of Journal of Nuclear Medicine.




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University of Pittsburgh Medical Center