The impact of tumor imaging on cancer curability

The dramatic improvements in tumor imaging this past decade have had a major impact on cancer treatment. The introduction and widespread use of computerized axial tomography, positron emission tomography, ultrasound, digital angiography, and more recently magnetic resonance imaging has led to the earlier diagnosis and the more accurate staging of many cancers. More difficult to demonstrate is where gains in tumor imaging have produced a true gain cancer survival. The axiom that precise tumor imaging means improved staging of cancer and in turn better treatment needs to be carefully examined at each specific cancer site. Reports of greater survival for certain stages of cancer do not always mean better overall survival. A critical survey will be made of different cancers in an attempt to illustrate the facts, fancies, and realities with regard to correlating improvements in tumor imaging and cancer curability. (Author)