FDG PET/CT for the detection and evaluation of breast diseases: usefulness and limitations.
Positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is used to diagnose, stage, and monitor breast cancer. FDG PET has the capability to depict abnormal metabolic activity before any anatomic change occurs; however, in the absence of identifiable anatomic structures on PET images, it may be impossible to identify the location of areas of increased radionuclide uptake. In such cases, the coregistration of PET images with images from computed tomography (CT) may help improve diagnostic accuracy and lead to better clinical management of patients with breast cancer. Although FDG PET/CT may have limited diagnostic value for detecting small primary breast tumors, well-differentiated breast cancer, or regional lymph node involvement, it is superior to conventional imaging modalities for detecting distant metastases and recurrences and for monitoring the response to therapy.
Lim
Hyo Soon
HS
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 160 Ilsimri, Hwasuneup, Hwasungun, Jeollanam-do 519-809, South Korea. nico1220@dreamwiz.com
Yoon
Woong
W
Chung
Tae Woong
TW
Kim
Jae Kyu
JK
Park
Jin Gyoon
JG
Kang
Heoung Keun
HK
Bom
Hee Seung
HS
Yoon
Jung Han
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18