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Correlation of Primary Tumor FDG Uptake with Clinicopathologic Prognostic Factors in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of primary tumor FDG uptake to clinicopathological prognostic factors in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 136 of 215 female patients with pathologically proven invasive ductal breast cancer from January 2008 to December 2011 who underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT for initial staging and follow-up after curative treatment with analysis of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary breast tumor was measured and compared with hormonal receptor and HER2 overexpression status.ResultsThe high SUVmax of primary breast tumors is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological factors: tumor size, histologic grade, TNM stage, negativity of ER, negativity of PR, HER2 overexpression and triple negativity. The recurrent group with non-triple negative cancer had a higher SUVmax compared with the non-recurrent group, though no significant difference in FDG uptake was noted between the recurrence and non-recurrent groups in subjects with triple-negative cancer. Lymph node involvement was the independent risk factor for cancer recurrence in the multivariate analysis.ConclusionsIn conclusion, high FDG uptake in primary breast tumors is significantly correlated with clinicopathological factors, such as tumor size, histologic grade, TNM stage, negativity of the hormonal receptor, HER2 overexpression and triple negativity. Therefore, FDG PET/CT is a helpful prognostic tool to direct the further management of patients with breast cancer.

Simultaneous splenic and colonic metastases from gastric cancer: different FDG avidities according to the density of cancer cells imaged on FDG PET/CT.

We describe the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT findings of 2 simultaneous metastatic gastric cancers to the colon and spleen with quite different FDG avidities. Longitudinal and weak FDG uptake was observed in the descending colon; therefore, it could not be distinguished from nonpathological functional uptake of normal colon. Meanwhile, the splenic mass showed intense uptake. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a segmental wall thickening of the descending colon as well as a hypoattenuating splenic mass suggesting metastases. Splenectomy and left hemicolectomy were performed. Histological diagnosis disclosed metastatic gastric cancer. The differential diagnoses and review of the literature are presented.

Extraosseous bone tracer accumulation of the liver on 99mTc-HDP bone scintigraphy in intermittent bleeding after iatrogenic liver injury.

A 69-year-old man with common bile duct cancer and deep jaundice had complained of abdominal pain after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The laboratory workup showed reduction of serum hemoglobin level after the procedure. A 99mTc-hydroxy diphosphonate bone scan was performed for further evaluation of common bile duct cancer, and there was no abnormality of the skeletal structures. However, diffuse and hazy increased radiotracer uptake was detected on the liver. Follow-up contrast-enhanced 99mCT revealed hematoma and subcapsular hemorrhage of the liver.

Eosinophilic infiltration in the colon and liver mimicking primary colon cancer with hepatic metastases on (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

We describe the case of a 78-year-old man presenting with abdominal pain and a weight loss of 5 kg over 2 months. Colonoscopy and abdominal CT suggested colon cancer of hepatic flexure. F-FDG PET/CT scan showed moderate FDG uptake lesion at the hepatic flexure colon and multiple foci of FDG accumulation in the liver. These were considered as colon cancer with multiple hepatic metastases. However, the pathologic finding of colonoscopic biopsy and CT-guided liver biopsy showed only eosinophilic infiltration and no evidence of malignancy.