Workflow and radiation safety implications of (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans for radiotherapy planning.

The use of 18 F-FDG PET/CT for radiotherapy planning may lead to better tumor volume definition. Reproduction of the patient’s position when setting up an 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan for radiotherapy planning is more accurate if a radiation therapist is involved. The aim of this study was to compare setup time and staff radiation dose between radiation therapists and nuclear medicine technologists. Methods: Forty patients with newly diagnosed head and neck or non–small cell lung cancer were prospectively recruited into this study. Twenty patients (10 with head and neck cancer and 10 with non–small cell lung cancer) underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT for radiotherapy planning, and 20 patients (10 with head and neck cancer and 10 with non–small