Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency –
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IAEA launches new e-learning course on PET/CT imaging for cancer diagnosis
The aim of this course, developed on the basis of evidence and consensus guidelines from the IAEA Human Health Programme, is to teach the principles of optimal and appropriate use of PET/CT in clinical practice.
January 7, 2026
Peter Lee, IAEA Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
The new IAEA e-learning course includes revised and updated recommendations presented in the publication "Use of PET-CT in the management of cancer patients: a review of the available evidence".
The IAEA has issued a new electronic training course, designed to help medical imaging specialists, oncologists and policymakers effectively use the diagnostic tool combining positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) in the care of cancer patients.
The purpose of this evidence-based and consensus-based course is manualsIAEA human health programs, – training in the principles of optimal and appropriate use of PET-CT in clinical practice.
PET-CT in cancer treatment
"In oncology, positron emission tomography has become the standard of care for many types of cancer and tumors. When combined with computed tomography, it allows physicians to more accurately determine the location and activity of the disease," notes Diana Paes, Head of the IAEA's Division of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging. "However, despite its clear advantages for more precise and individualized therapy, PET/CT remains virtually unavailable in many low- and middle-income countries. It is crucial to ensure appropriate and effective use of existing imaging technologies so that patients worldwide can receive timely and accurate diagnostics."
To address this need, the IAEA has issued a publication "Use of PET-CT in the management of cancer patients: a review of the available evidence", based on modern medical literature and containing general recommendations for the practical use of PET-CT in cancer treatment.
Diagnostic indicators and clinical impact
To provide additional support to Member States, this IAEA e-learning course outlines the principles of using PET/CT to diagnose cancer, stage it, assess response to multimodal therapy, detect possible recurrences, perform regular follow-up examinations and plan radiotherapy.
This course covers diagnostic indicators and clinical impact for 13 categories of cancer, namely:
central nervous system; head and neck; chest; mammary gland; gastrointestinal tract; urogenital tract; female reproductive system; bones and soft tissues; skin; hematopoietic system; endocrine system; neuroendocrine system; without identified primary lesion.
The course also examines when PET-CT is recommended for planning theranostics—an approach that combines the use of radionuclides for diagnosis and treatment—for prostate cancer, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, neuroblastomas, and a range of other diseases.
Improving efficiency with PET-CT
"By completing the course sequentially or studying sections dedicated to specific cancer types, physicians will be able to appreciate the key benefits of PET/CT," notes Amir Eskander, an IAEA radiologist and one of the project's leaders. "This method helps specialists determine when this technology is appropriate and when it is not, at each stage of a cancer patient's care. The course is a convenient resource that complements updated IAEA guidelines and promotes the appropriate use of PET/CT for the benefit of individual patients."
Access to the course
Medical imaging specialists, healthcare workers and policy makers worldwide can access the new online course through the platform IAEA Human Health Campus.
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