F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)

Term: F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)Definition: F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) is a radioactive glucose analog used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans to detect metabolic activity in tissues, which can help identify areas of inflammation or malignancy.Phonetic Pronunciation: (eff-FLUOR-oh-two-dee-OX-ee-DEE-gluh-kohs)Origin: The term F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose is derived from its chemical structure. "F-fluoro" indicates the presence of a fluorine atom, "2-deoxy" signifies the absence of an oxygen atom at the second carbon position, and "D-glucose" refers to the specific type of glucose molecule. The term reflects the scientific nomenclature used to describe modified glucose molecules used in medical imaging.Significance in Asbestos Context: In the context of asbestos-related diseases, FDG-PET scans are significant because they can help detect and monitor conditions such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, which are associated with asbestos exposure. The ability to visualize metabolic changes in tissues can aid in early diagnosis and treatment planning for affected individuals.Example Sentence: The use of FDG-PET scans with F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose helped confirm the presence of asbestos-related lung cancer in the patient.Related Terms: Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Biomarker, Metabolic ActivityNotes: - FDG is not specific to asbestos-related diseases but is used in various oncology applications. - The uptake of FDG can indicate areas of high metabolic activity, which may not always be cancerous. - FDG-PET scans are often used in conjunction with other imaging modalities for a comprehensive diagnosis.