Abstract
PURPOSE: To review how PET/MR technology could add value for pediatric cancer patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Since many primary tumors in children are evaluated with MRI and metastases are detected with PET/CT, integrated PET/MR can be a time-efficient and convenient solution for pediatric cancer staging. (18)F-FDG PET/MR can assess primary tumors and the whole body in one imaging session, avoid repetitive anesthesia and reduce radiation exposure compared to (18)F-FDG PET/CT. This article lists 10 action points, which might improve the clinical value of PET/MR for children with cancer. However, even if PET/MR proves valuable, it cannot enter mainstream applications if it is not accessible to the majority of pediatric cancer patients. Therefore, innovations are needed to make PET/MR scanners affordable and increase patient throughput. SUMMARY: PET/MR offers opportunities for more efficient, accurate and safe diagnoses of pediatric cancer patients. The impact on patient management and outcomes has to be substantiated by large-scale prospective clinical trials.