Abstract
This article shall describe the role of 18F-Sodium Fluoride (18F-NaF) PET/CT bone scanning in the staging of breast and prostate cancer. 18F-NaF PET was initially utilised as a bone scanning agent in the 1960s and early 1970s, however its usage was restricted by the then available gamma cameras. The advent of hybrid PET/CT cameras in the late 1990s has shown a resurgence of interest in its usage and role. After a brief introduction, this paper will describe the radiopharmaceutical properties, dosimetry, pharmacokinetics, and mechanism of uptake of 18F-NaF. The performance of 18F-NaF PET/CT is then compared with conventional bone scintigraphy utilizing current evidence from the literature. Strengths and weaknesses of 18F-NaF PET/CT imaging shall be highlighted. Clinical examples of improved accuracy of diagnosis and impact on patient management shall be illustrated. Limitations of 18F-NaF PET/CT imaging will be outlined.