ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: to identify the role of PET-CT in management of chest tumors.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Whole body PET/CT study was performed on 32 patients of variable primary & secondary chest tumors who were under evaluation for primary or secondary chest tumors by recent CT, referred for staging before treatment and / or follow up after treatment.
RESULTS: Our findings indicate  that FDG PET/CT has an important  impact  on diagnosis & management of chest tumors , as it delineated the metabolic activity of the disease in 19 patients (59.4 %), outlined  the metabolic activity of the tumoral residue in 6 patients (18.75%) , differentiated between tumoral residue & post irradiation pneumonitis in 1 patient (3.1%), followed up  the therapeutic response in 4 patients (12.5 %), differentiated  between residual mass & post therapeutic fibrosis in 1 patient (3.1%) and delineated the metabolic activity of the disease for preparing for BMT in  1 patient (3.1%) and so had an impact on  the management of chest tumor patients.
 CONCLUSION:  By recognizing the relevant radiologic and metabolic behavior of chest tumors, understanding the appropriateness of staging disease with the TNM classification system, and being familiar with potential imaging pitfalls, PET/CT can make an important contribution to diagnosis, treatment and outcome in chest tumor patients.