Slikovne metode u onkologiji omogućile su ranije dijagnosticiranje malignih oboljenja, brižljivije praćenje tijeka bolesti i ranije otkrivanje lokalnog recidiva ili diseminacije bolesti te bitno pridonijele činjenici da se danas karcinom smatra kroničnom bolesti. Slikovne metode dijelimo na one kojima prikazujemo morfologiju organa i tkiva i one kojima prikazujemo funkciju, odnosno metabolizam organa i tkiva. Prije odluke o odabiru slikovne metode nužno je postaviti kliničko pitanje i cilj koji želimo postići određenom pretragom. Također je važno slijediti i dijagnostičke algoritme u postavljanju indikacije za slikovne pretrage. Problem s kojim se susreću liječnici opće medicine je i moguća štetnost od (pre)čestih snimanja.Imaging methods in oncology have allowed earlier diagnosis of malignant diseases, more careful disease monitoring, early detection of local recurrence or dissemination of disease and significantly contribute to the fact that today, cancer is considered a chronic disease. Imaging methods are divided into those which show the morphology of organs and tissues, and those which show the function or metabolism of organs and tissues. Before deciding on the selection of imaging methods, it is necessary to consider clinical issue and goal that we want to achieve by particular examination. Also, it is important to follow diagnostic algorithms in setting indications for imaging methods. The problem faced by general physicians is the potential harmfulness of the (too) frequent shooting
