The Accuracy and Efficiency of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scan in Body Tumor Detection: A Comparison with a Computed Tomography and Biopsy

Introduction Tumors represent abnormal cellular growth that poses important threats to human’s health. Early detection is vital to improving patient outcomes, but challenges remain due to poor contrast, complex anatomy, and subtle imaging features. Imaging methods like computed tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT) appeared as significant methods in oncologic assessment. While CT primarily provides anatomical detail, PET/CT adds functional insight by detecting metabolic activity, offering improved accuracy in tumor detection and characterization. Objective This study was done for comparing between the efficiency and accuracy of PET/CT scan and CT scan in tumor detection and diagnosis based on the area examined by CT scan, as well as comparing between the results of PET/CT scan and biopsy. Patients and methods A total of (63) patients (27) male and (36) female, aged (21–86) years (mean age 50.98 years), underwent both CT & PET/CT scans. Imaging methods were performed at Al-Andalus Private Hospital, Al-Ruya Center, and the Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy Center. Tumor detection was evaluated in multiple anatomical regions and findings were confirmed through biopsy. Malignant tumors included lymphoma (19%), colon, lung, and uterine cancers (each 9.5%), breast (7.9%), renal (6.3%), pancreatic (4.8%), paranasal and stomach cancers (each 3.2%), and bone and psoas muscle cancers (each 1.6%). Benign lesions included lung (9.5%), breast (4.8%), uterine and renal (each 3.2%), and neck lesions (1.6%). Results PET/CT scan achieved 100% specificity, sensitivity and accuracy. CT scan showed 95% sensitivity, 66% specificity, and 87% accuracy. PET/CT demonstrated superiority in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions and was more effective in identifying metastasis and enlarged lymph node. Both CT and PET/CT scans showed high concordance with biopsy in detecting tumors such as colon, pancreas, stomach, and paranasal cancers. Conclusion PET/CT is superior over CT scan in detecting metastatic cancer. In addition, PET/CT scan has been shown to be more effective in detecting enlarged lymph nodes than CT scan.