Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) using L-[methyl-11C]-methionine (MET) is the most popular
amino acid imaging modality in oncology, although its use is restricted to PETcenters with an inhouse
cyclotron facility. This review focuses on the role of METYPET in imaging of cerebral
gliomas. The biological background of tumor imaging with methionine is discussed with particular
emphasis on cellular amino acid transport, amino acid utilization in brain, normal metabolism of
methionine, and its alterations in cancer. The role of METYPET in clinical management of cerebral
gliomas in initial diagnosis, differentiation of tumor recurrence from radiation injury, grading,
prognostication, tumor-extent delineation, biopsy planning, surgical resection and radiotherapy
planning, and assessment of response to therapy is also reviewed in detail.
Key words: L-[Methyl-11C]-methionine (MET), Positron emission tomography (PET), Gliomas