PET scans best to detect vaginal cancer

ST. LOUIS, Jun 24, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- PET scans detected twice as many primary tumors and cancerous lymph nodes as did CT scans in those with vaginal cancer, St. Louis researchers reported.

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that in cervical cancer, vaginal cancer advances predictably, spreading to lymph nodes increasingly higher up in the body as the disease progresses.

Doctors use information about the size of the tumor and the involvement of lymph nodes to determine treatment, such as where to target radiation and whether to use surgery or chemotherapy.

The study -- published in the July 1 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics -- suggests the use of PET, or positron emission tomography, would make diagnosis of vaginal cancer much more accurate and allow better selection of treatment.

Study author Dr. Perry W. Grigsby says Medicaid, Medicare and many private insurers currently specify CT for diagnosing and monitoring this cancer.