18F-FDG and 11C-acetate PET/CT for detection of primary and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma: the pros and cons of a prespective study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in Asia, which de-serves more research group participants. However, statistical and technical biases can easily lead to misconception and false directions. We expressed our interest and opinion on the article based on a prospective du-al-tracer [18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 11C-acetate] PET/CT study in the evaluation of primary and metastatic HCC. The opinions were stated in the light of some important technical issues including statistics, diagnostic criteria and sampling differences for the detection of small primary HCC, metastatic HCC and cholangiocarcinoma. (authors)