Published online Feb 15, 2016. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v8.i2.165
Peer-review started: May 5, 2015
First decision: July 21, 2015
Revised: November 26, 2015
Accepted: December 17, 2015
Article in press: December 18, 2015
Published online: February 15, 2016
Processing time: 280 Days and 2.6 Hours
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a major health problem. Conventional imaging modalities show limited accuracy for reliable assessment of the tumor. Recent researches suggest that molecular imaging techniques with tracers provide more biologically relevant information and are benefit for the diagnosis of the cancer. In addition, radiopharmaceuticals also play more important roles in treatment of the disease. This review summaries the advancement of the radiolabeled compounds in the theranostics of PC.
Core tip: This review describes the development of radiopharmaceuticals in diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic cancer. We herein discuss the role of the radiolabeled compounds in the preoperative diagnosis, staging, post-therapeutic monitoring, prognosis and the treatment of the disease.