Oncologist frets about premature decisions based on PET/CT

"We need to be very rigorous about all aspects of imaging: the way FDG-PET is acquired, its analysis, and the structure of the clinical trial in which it is imbedded.

"A concern we have in the treatment community is that physicians are already making decisions based on early PET assessments when we are still not clear about the optimal timing, the interpretation, and whether changing therapy (on the basis of imaging findings) affords a benefit over continuing the prior therapy.

"It is really critical not to ask too many questions in these clinical trials. We should take it one step at a time."

-Dr. Sandra Horning, a professor of medicine (oncology) at Stanford University and president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, speaking at the 2006 Academy of Molecular Imaging meeting in Orlando.