[Importance of PET for surgery of recurrent thyroid cancer].
BACKGROUND
The early detection of recurrent thyroid cancer and focussed surgery are essential for patients' prognosis. Using I-131 whole body scintigraphy is often not sufficient to detect recurrent carcinoma making other imaging methods necessary to identify the tumor. Recent studies showed that positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) is able to identify recurrent carcinoma and metastasis at an early stage.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was an evaluation of the impact of PET/CT on diagnostic and operation strategies in recurrent thyroid cancer.


METHODS
A review of the literature was carried out combined with a case report from the daily practice. Furthermore, flow charts were created to clarify the aftercare procedure.


RESULTS
In patients with recurrent thyroid cancer PET/CT significantly increased the identification of recurrent tumors and metastases. Depending on the subtype of cancer, different tracers are used. The use of a metabolically active tracer which shows the increase of tumor metabolism and the morphological correlation of the tumor using a CT scan enable preoperative planning for a focussed surgical approach.


CONCLUSIONS
The PET/CT procedure should be an integral part of the aftercare procedure in thyroid cancer for early identification of recurrent tumors and to enable focussed surgery.
Klinik für Allgemein-und Viszeralchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Deutschland, Christina.Haane@ukmuenster.de.
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Colombo-Benkmann
D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*