Positron emission tomography detection of breast cancer metastasis to the uterus.
BACKGROUND
We report the case of a patient presenting with moderate elevation of the tumor marker cancer antigen 15.3 during breast cancer follow-up.


METHODS
After a negative standard metastatic work-up, a positron emission tomography scan identified a localized central pelvic zone of uptake. Hysterectomy was performed, and pathology revealed a breast cancer metastasis within a previously known uterine leiomyoma. Positron emission tomography allowed assessment of soft tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
With high sensitivity and specificity, positron emission tomography can be used to localize breast cancer metastases suspected by the presence of elevated serum tumor marker but not detected on standard metastatic workup.
Charvolin
J Y
JY
Institut Curie, Paris, France. charvolin.jean-yves@ghicl.fupl.asso.fr
Salmon
R J
RJ
Pecking
A
A
Mareschal
V
V
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*