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Volume 15
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10.3390/jcm15010311
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

The Rise of Total-Body PET/CT: Advancing Molecular Imaging Toward Early Cancer Detection and Potential Future Application in Prevention Healthcare

by
Pierpaolo Alongi
1,*,
Simone Morea
2,
Roberto Cannella
1,
Rosa Alba Pugliesi
1,
Carlo Messina
3 and
Daniele Di Biagio
2
1
Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90139 Palermo, Italy
2
Nuclear Medicine Centre, San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital—Express Diagnostics, Via Cassia 600, 00189 Rome, Italy
3
Oncology Unit, UOC Oncologia ARNAS Civico Benfratelli di Cristina, Piazza Nicola Leotta 4, 90127 Palermo, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(1), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010311
Submission received: 11 December 2025 / Revised: 24 December 2025 / Accepted: 29 December 2025 / Published: 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment in Oncology: Radiotherapy and Imaging Analysis)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is undergoing a profound transformation. Driven by the convergence of highly sensitive long-axial field-of-view (LAFOV) total-body PET systems and an expanding portfolio of targeted radiopharmaceuticals, PET is progressively evolving beyond its traditional role in oncologic diagnosis and staging. Ultra-sensitive scanners enable whole-body imaging with markedly reduced radiotracer doses, rapid acquisition times, and true dynamic multiparametric imaging across all organs simultaneously. In parallel, molecularly targeted radioligands support tumour phenotyping, theranostic applications, and personalized dosimetry. Together, these advances position PET as a systemic imaging platform capable of interrogating whole-body tumour biology, guiding precision therapies, and potentially enabling early detection or surveillance strategies in selected high-risk populations. This narrative review summarizes the technological foundations of total-body PET, reviews current clinical and translational applications, discusses opportunities and limitations for early detection and surveillance, and outlines a research and implementation roadmap to responsibly translate this paradigm into clinical oncology.
Keywords: positron emission tomography; LAFOV; ultralow-dose; surveillance; Total Body; cancer positron emission tomography; LAFOV; ultralow-dose; surveillance; Total Body; cancer

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MDPI and ACS Style

Alongi, P.; Morea, S.; Cannella, R.; Pugliesi, R.A.; Messina, C.; Biagio, D.D. The Rise of Total-Body PET/CT: Advancing Molecular Imaging Toward Early Cancer Detection and Potential Future Application in Prevention Healthcare. J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15, 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010311

AMA Style

Alongi P, Morea S, Cannella R, Pugliesi RA, Messina C, Biagio DD. The Rise of Total-Body PET/CT: Advancing Molecular Imaging Toward Early Cancer Detection and Potential Future Application in Prevention Healthcare. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 15(1):311. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010311

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alongi, Pierpaolo, Simone Morea, Roberto Cannella, Rosa Alba Pugliesi, Carlo Messina, and Daniele Di Biagio. 2026. "The Rise of Total-Body PET/CT: Advancing Molecular Imaging Toward Early Cancer Detection and Potential Future Application in Prevention Healthcare" Journal of Clinical Medicine 15, no. 1: 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010311

APA Style

Alongi, P., Morea, S., Cannella, R., Pugliesi, R. A., Messina, C., & Biagio, D. D. (2026). The Rise of Total-Body PET/CT: Advancing Molecular Imaging Toward Early Cancer Detection and Potential Future Application in Prevention Healthcare. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(1), 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010311

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