This allows visualization of the entire body in Axial. Coronal, and Sagittal planes, in addition to three-dimensional images. The two most widely used applications of FDG are for cancer and heart patients. FDG has been studied extensively in cancer patients. Even before the existence of our sophisticated scanners, the role of glucose in metabolism of cancer cells has been studied in many animal studies.
Most malignant tumors are highly glucose avid.
As such, we can judge the degree of malignancy from the level of FDG uptake. FDG is used to distinguish between benign and malignant masses. In patients with known cancer, response to therapy could be followed with sequential FDG scans. It is also useful in distinguishing scar from active tumor. There are many radioisotopes used to assess myocardial viability.