Value of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in women with breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the staging of high-risk women with primary or recurrent breast cancer.


METHODS
FDG-PET was performed in 42 women with a primary breast cancer and unfavourable characteristics, or who had a suspected relapse. FDG-PET and conventional staging methods were compared. In case of abnormality on FDG-PET, confirmation was always attempted.


RESULTS
Increased uptake was found in five of 17 women with a primary cancer. In the 25 women with a suspected relapse, FDG-PET showed increased uptake in 43 areas, 22 correctly confirming the area of suspected relapse and 21 indicating other sites of metastases. Compared with conventional imaging, FDG-PET revealed additional (confirmed) lesions in two women with primary cancers and three with relapse. Patient management was changed for five women.


CONCLUSIONS
FDG-PET is a sensitive diagnostic method for the detection of distant metastatic disease. Its exact role in women with breast cancer remains to be defined.
Landheer
M L E A
ML
Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, TA Arnhem, The Netherlands.
Steffens
M G
MG
Klinkenbijl
J H G
JH
Westenberg
A H
AH
Oyen
W J G
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18