FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography studies of Wilms' tumor.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the utility of FDG PET/CT scanning in patients with Wilms' tumors.


METHODS
A total of 58 scans were performed in 27 patients (14 male, 13 female; ages: 1.9-23 years, median: 7 years) with proven Wilms' tumor. Twenty-six patients (56 scans) were studied at the time of suspected relapse, progressive disease, persistent disease, or for monitoring of therapy.


RESULTS
In the 27 patients with Wilms' tumor, 34 scans showed areas of abnormal uptake consistent with metabolically active tumors. Of the patients, 8 (24 scans) had pulmonary metastases larger than 10 mm in diameter, 10 (12 scans) had hepatic metastases, 11 (11 scans) had regional nodal involvement, 3 (3 scans) had bone metastases, 1 (1 scan) had chest wall involvement, 2 (2 scans) had pancreatic metastasis, and 5 (5 scans) had abdominal and pelvic soft tissue involvement. Two of eight patients with lung metastases had variable uptakes. Lung lesions 10 mm or smaller were not consistently visualized on PET scans. One patient with a liver metastasis showed no uptake on PET scan after treatment (size decreased from 45 to 15 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
Most Wilms' tumors concentrate FDG. However, small pulmonary metastases may be better visualized with CT. FDG PET/CT appears useful for defining the extent of involvement and assessing the response to treatment.
Moinul Hossain
A K M
AK
Nuclear Imaging Division, Department of Radiological Sciences, MS #220, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA.
Shulkin
Barry L
BL
Gelfand
Michael J
MJ
Bashir
Humayun
H
Daw
Najat C
NC
Sharp
Susan E
SE
Nadel
Helen R
HR
Dome
Jeffrey S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18