Report from SNM: PET/CT restaging alters management for one-third of breast cancer cases

June 16, 2008 Report from SNM: PET/CT restaging alters management for one-third of breast cancer cases Erica Andrews -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FDG-PET/CT is gaining attention for its role in staging and restaging breast cancer. A trial from the Technical University of Munich, presented Sunday at the 2008 Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting in New Orleans, found that PET/CT detected local or distant recurrence in 67% of breast cancer patients and changed the management plan in 33% of the cases. "We believe PET/CT has prognostic potential for restaging breast cancer," said presenter Dr. Michael Souvatzoglou of the nuclear medicine department. The prospective two-center study included 118 patients with suspected breast cancer recurrence on the basis of elevated tumor markers; abnormal MRI, CT, mammography, or ultrasound studies; or clinical signs. PET/CT results were correlated with patient management and outcomes. PET/CT returned positive findings in 79 cases (67%). Local recurrence was identified in 12%, while metastases were diagnosed in 55%. Metastatic sites included: lymph nodes (36%) bone (32%) liver (14%) lungs (10%) adrenal glands (3%) pleura (2%) Coregistered CT changed the anatomic location of the FDG-PET-detected lesions in 24 patients (20%), within either the same or a different organ or tissue.

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