[Recurrent signet-ring cell gastric carcinoma evidenced by FDG-PET].
OBJECTIVE
To present the case report of a patient with undifferentiated and diffuse signet-ring cell gastric carcinoma in which FDG-PET evidenced recurrent disease.


METHODS
The patient was diagnosed of a stage III gastric carcinoma in 1994 and was treated with a subtotal gastrectomy. In February 2003, recurrent disease was detected in mediastinal and left supraclavicular lymph nodes. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, reaching a complete response. After 6 months free of disease, he presented an elevation of the tumor markers with negative results in conventional imaging methods (upper digestive endoscopy, bone scintigraphy, and CT). An FDG-PET scan was performed to rule out recurrent disease.


RESULTS
FDG-PET detected pathologic findings suggestive of malignant disease in right supraclavicular and mediastinal lymph nodes. These findings were confirmed by clinical follow-up and with another CT scan performed 4 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
In this case report we stress the importance of early recurrence by FDG-PET in a non-intestinal gastric carcinoma. This is of interest given the greater difficulty to detect mucous secreting and/or producing carcinomas with the PET-FDG.
Ruiz-Hernández
G
G
Instituto PET FOCUSCAN S.L., Madrid.
Delgado-Bolton
R C
RC
Rubio-Pérez
M J
MJ
Jiménez-Vicioso
A
A
Pérez-Castejón
M J
MJ
Carreras-Delgado
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D018279:Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18