The role of whole-body fluorine-18-FDG positron emission tomography in the detection of recurrence in symptomatic patients with stages II and III breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The role of whole-body fluorine-18-FDG positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) as an adjunct localize recurrence in stages II and III breast cancer patients who present with clinical suspicion for recurrence is not well established. We report our experience in such a patient population.


METHODS
A retrospective review of all patients with stages II and III breast cancer who had a whole-body FDG-PET scan was performed.


RESULTS
Of the 23 patients who fit the criteria, 9 had stage II and 14 had stage III breast cancer. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 81%, 100%, and 87%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for stages II and III were 100% and 83%, respectively, and 100% and 50%, respectively. FDG-PET detected two recurrences that were missed by conventional imagings, but such recurrences were local and amenable for biopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with stages II and III breast cancer who present with a suspicion for recurrent disease, a whole-body FDG-PET scan may be a useful adjunct in the evaluation of recurrence. However, its added benefit over conventional imaging should be questioned.
Wolfort
Ryan M
RM
Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, 1501 Kings Hwy, P.O. Box 33932, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA.
Li
Benjamin D L
BD
Johnson
Lester W
LW
Turnage
Richard H
RH
Lilien
David
D
Ampil
Fred
F
Burton
Gary
G
Chu
Quyen D
QD
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18