What imaging technique is primarily used for assessing the growth and size of tumors in PET scans?

Cellular proliferation imaging is the most relevant technique for assessing the growth and size of tumors in PET scans. This approach typically utilizes radiotracers that highlight areas of active cell division, which is a hallmark of tumor growth. In many tumors, the rate of cellular proliferation is significantly elevated compared to normal tissues, making this imaging technique crucial for evaluating tumor characteristics, treatment response, and prognosis.

Hypoxia imaging focuses on the oxygen levels in tissue, which can inform tumor biology but does not directly assess the size or growth rate of tumors. Melanoma assessment is a specific application rather than a broad imaging technique, and while it can involve evaluating tumor size, it does not encompass the general assessment of growth across various tumor types. Detection of benign lesions pertains to identifying non-cancerous conditions, which is not the primary goal in evaluating tumor growth. Given these distinctions, cellular proliferation imaging stands out as the most directly related technique for assessing tumor development in PET scans.