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Comparison of Triple-negative and Estrogen Receptor- positive/Progesterone Receptor-positive/HER2-negative Breast Carcinoma Using Quantitative Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose/Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Parameters A Potentially Useful Method for Disease Characterization

This study was designed to investigate the fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)‐positron emission tomography (PET) imaging characteristics of triple‐negative (estrogen receptor‐negative [ER−]/progesterone receptor‐negative [PR−]/HER2‐negative [HER2−]) breast carcinoma and compare the results with characteristics of ER+/PR+/HER2− breast carcinomas, which usually carry a favorable prognosis.

Comparison of triple-negative and estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast carcinoma using quantitative fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose/positron emission tomography imaging parameters: a potentially useful method for disease characterization.

This study was designed to investigate the fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)‐positron emission tomography (PET) imaging characteristics of triple‐negative (estrogen receptor‐negative [ER−]/progesterone receptor‐negative [PR−]/HER2‐negative [HER2−]) breast carcinoma and compare the results with characteristics of ER+/PR+/HER2− breast carcinomas, which usually carry a favorable prognosis.

The Effects of Estrogen, Progesterone, and C-erbB-2 Receptor States on 18F-FDG Uptake of Primary Breast Cancer Lesions

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate whether correlations exist between 18F-FDG uptake of primary breast cancer lesions and predictive and prognostic factors such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and C-erbB-2 receptor (C-erbB-2R) states. Methods: Before undergoing partial or total mastectomy, 213 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer underwent 18F-FDG PET (5.2 MBq/kg of body weight). The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) of the primary lesion was measured in each patient. Standard immunohistochemistry was performed on a surgical specimen of the cancer lesion to characterize the receptor state of the tumor cells. Pearson χ2 tests were performed on the cross-tables of different receptor states to test any association that may exist among ER, PR, and C-erbB-2R. Maximum SUV measurements for different receptor states were compared using factorial ANOVA in a completely random design. Results: After exclusion of certain lesions, 118 lesions were analyzed for this study. The mean maximum SUVs of ER-positive and ER-negative lesions were 3.03 ± 0.26 and 5.64 ± 0.75, whereas those of PR were 3.24 ± 0.29 and 4.89 ± 0.67, respectively, and those of C-erbB-2R were 4.64 ± 0.70 and 3.70 ± 0.35, respectively. χ2 tests for ER and PR showed that if one is positive then the other tends to be positive as well (χ2 = 71.054, P < 0.01). For ER and C-erbB-2R states, if ER is positive, C-erbB-2R will more likely be negative (χ2 = 13.026, P < 0.01). No relationship was detected between PR and C-erbB-2R states (χ2 = 3.695, P > 0.05). ANOVAs showed that PR state alone (F = 0.095, P > 0.05) and C-erbB-2R state alone (F = 0.097, P > 0.05) had no effect on 18F-FDG uptake but ER state alone had an effect (F = 9.126, P < 0.01). ER and PR being together had no additional effect on 18F-FDG uptake. Our study also demonstrated that interactions exist between ER and C-erbB-2R state and between PR and C-erbB-2R state. Conclusion: SUV measurements may provide valuable information about the state of ER, PR, and C-erbB-2R and the associated glucose metabolism as measured by 18F-FDG uptake of the primary breast cancer lesions. Such an association may be of importance to treatment planning and outcome in these patients.

FDG PET in detecting primary and recurrent malignant salivary gland tumors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the role of PET in the management of patients with primary malignant salivary gland (SG) tumor. Material and Methods: Sixty-one FDG PET studies in 48 patients (median age 58, range 28–89 years, 20 female, 28 male) who were diagnosed with malignant SG tumors were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen were referred for initial diagnosis and staging while there was a suspicion of recurrence and/or metastatic disease in 48 patients during the follow-up period. Results: On PET examinations of 13 patients on initial presentation, 12 showed increased uptake in the primary lesion, while conventional methods (CT, MRI) were positive in 11 and were equivocal for 2 patients. Six patients with multiple nodal and 2 patients with distant metastases were detected by PET. Conventional methods demonstrated lymph node metastases in 5 of these patients. In the follow-up patient group, PET was inaccurate (false-negative or positive) in 4 (8%) patients with local recurrence, and in 4 (8%) with metastatic disease. However, 15 (31%) studies for recurrence and 7 (15%) for metastasis were false-negative with conventional radiologic methods. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the detection of recurrent disease were 83%, 93%, 63%, and 98% for PET; 67%, 69%, 24%, and 94% for conventional methods, respectively. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of PET for detecting metastatic disease were 93%, 96%, 82%, and 99%, while those of conventional methods were 80%, 95%, 75%, and 96%, respectively. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that FDG PET is not only superior to CT and/or MRI for staging at the initial presentation but also superior to conventional imaging methodologies for detecting local recurrence and regional lymph node and distant metastases in patients with malignant SG tumor.

Implications of standardized uptake value measurements of the primary lesions in proven cases of breast carcinoma with different degree of disease burden at diagnosis: does 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose-positron emission tomography predict tumor biology?

ObjectivesTumor glycolytic activity as determined by 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging is an important marker of tumor biology and provides critical information about the behavior of most malignancies at different stages of the disease. This study was undertaken to determine whether the degree of FDG uptake differs between the primary breast lesions with varying disease burden at diagnosis in proven cases of breast carcinoma.Materials and MethodsAmong 250 patients enrolled for this prospective study, 174 patients with newly diagnosed breast carcinoma at different disease stages who had undergone dual time point FDG-PET before any therapeutic or surgical interventions were considered for inclusion in this analysis. These patients prospectively underwent multimodality imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, digital mammography, computed tomography (CT), and dual time point FDG-PET, as a component of a National Institutes of Health-funded project for characterizing primary breast lesions and local–regional staging. The slice with maximum FDG uptake in the region of interest (ROI) was chosen for the first time point and the second time point images for quantitative measurement of the metabolic activity of the tracer (SUVmax1 and SUVmax2, respectively). Furthermore, the percent change in SUVmax (%ΔSUVmax) between SUVmax1 and SUVmax2 was calculated.ResultsThe patient population (n = 174) were divided into three groups for the purposes of this study. Sixty-four patients with primary and metastatic axillary lymphadenopathy (designated as group I) and 18 patients with both axillary and distant metastases (designated as group II) met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. The third group (group III) comprised of a population of 92 patients without any metastasis either at the lymph nodes or at distant sites. The mean SUVmax1, SUVmax2, and the %ΔSUVmax in the early and delayed FDG-PET in group I (n = 64) patients were as follows: primary lesion 4.8 ± 3.9, 5.3 ± 4.5, and 9.4 ± 12.8%, respectively, and axillary lesions 3 ± 2.6, 3 ± 2.7, and 1.1 ± 21.3%, respectively. Among the group II patients (n = 18), the mean values of the primary lesion with regard to the SUVmax1, SUVmax2, and the %ΔSUVmax were 7.7 ± 6.2, 8.9 ± 7.1, and 15.7 ± 10.8%, respectively. The corresponding figures for the axillary lesions were 3.5 ± 3.1, 3.7 ± 3.1, and 6.3 ± 20.9%, respectively, and those for the distant metastatic lesions were 3 ± 1.4, 3.1 ± 1.2, and 8.5 ± 21.2%, respectively. The mean SUVmax1, SUVmax2, and the %ΔSUVmax of the primary lesion of group III patients (n = 92) without any metastasis were 2.9 ± 2.7, 3.4 ± 2.4, and 4.5 ± 4.2%, respectively. Unifactorial ANOVA of the three parameters among the primary lesions of these three groups were statistically significant with regard to the mean SUVmax1 (p = 0.01) and SUVmax2 (p = 0.01). These values in the primary lesions were highest in group II (those with both axillary and distant metastases), followed by group I (those with only metastatic axillary adenopathy) and group III (patients without any metastasis), and could be related to the more aggressive tumor biology in group II.ConclusionThe findings provide evidence that among the lesions with varying disease burden at diagnosis, the FDG uptake is highest in cases with both axillary and distant metastasis, followed by those with axillary metastasis and then by those with no metastatic disease. These provide in vivo insight into tumor biology as FDG uptake is regarded as a surrogate marker of the same.

Assessment of regional blood flow in cerebral motor and sensory areas in patients with spinal cord injury

We assessed the presence and the degree of alteration of the regional blood flow (rCBF) as visualized by Tc-99m HMPAO brain rest SPECT in the sensory motor cortex and subcortical structure in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, who suffered from various levels of motor and sensory function loss. Twenty-two patients (mean age: 42.1+/-13.4 years, 18 M, 4 F) and 11 control subjects (mean age: 32.2+/-6.4 years, 8 M, 3 F) participated in this study. The spinal cord injury group was consisted of 2 groups (14 paraplegic and 8 tetraplegic patients). The corticocortical rCBF ratios were calculated by using region of interests obtained from 34 cortical areas on coronal slices. Significantly reduced rCBF were measured from 11 cortical areas in tetraplegic patients and 11 cortical areas in paraplegic patients. Some of these areas were different in each group. In the tetraplegic group, significant reduction was observed in the following rCBF areas: left anterior cingulate gyrus, left medial supplementary motor area, bilateral front and back aspects of posterior cingulate gyrus, right lateral primary motor area, right medial primary sensory area, bilateral putamen, and right cerebellum. In the paraplegic group, reduced rCBF areas were as follows: bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus, right lateral supplementary motor area, left front aspect of posterior cingulate gyrus, left lateral primary motor area, bilateral back aspects of posterior cingulate gyrus, right medial primary sensory area, left lateral primary sensory area and bilateral putamen. In conclusion, in some of the movement-cortical and subcortical areas having significantly reduced blood flow in SCI may be helpful to demonstrate the disrupted areas of rCBF by SPECT. We believe that it may be useful if these findings should be considered during the evaluations related to the reorganization in SCI cases.

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on 18F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue

Theoretically, the degree of 18F-FDG uptake in the glandular tissues of the normal breast can affect the detection of breast cancer. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate relationships among age, menopausal state, and breast density and determine whether they affect 18F-FDG uptake in normal glandular breast tissue. Methods: Among 250 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, 149 patients (mean age ± SD, 50.9 ± 9.70 y; range, 32–77 y) were analyzed because they had normal contralateral breasts confirmed by MRI, mammography, and 18F-FDG PET examinations. PET images were acquired 60 ± 2 min after the administration of 18F-FDG (5.2 MBq/kg of body weight). The maximum and average standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVavg, respectively) of 18F-FDG were calculated in the normal breast. Patients were divided into groups according to qualitative breast density and menopausal state. Descriptive statistics and 2-factorial analysis of covariance were used to assess the effects of qualitative breast density, menopausal state, and age on SUVmax and SUVavg. Pearson χ2 was used to test the relationship between menopausal state and qualitative breast density. Results: The average age of patients with nondense breasts was significantly higher than that of patients with dense breasts (P < 0.01). Also, breast density related to menopausal state (P < 0.05). Dense breasts had an average SUVmax of 1.243 and mean SUVavg of 0.694, whereas nondense breasts had a mean SUVmax of 0.997 and mean SUVavg of 0.592. Analysis of covariance indicated that density and the linear effect of age were significant with regard to both SUVmax and SUVavg. After removing the linear effect of age, menopausal state had no effect on SUVmax and SUVavg. Conclusion: 18F-FDG uptake significantly decreases as age increases and breast density decreases. Age and qualitative breast density are independent factors and significantly affect 18F-FDG uptake for both SUVmax and SUVavg. Menopausal state had no effect on SUVmax and SUVavg.

Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC): spectrum of FDG-PET findings.

The lungs are among the most common sites for metastases from a multitude of cancers. The majority of pulmonary metastases appear nodular on radiologic images. Interstitial spread of tumor through pulmonary lymphatics, also known as pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC), is not uncommon and constitutes approximately 7% of pulmonary metastases. PLC is most often seen with adenocarcinoma of a variety of histologies such as thyroid carcinoma, and melanoma. It is usually noted in late stages of malignancy and therefore is indicative of a poor prognosis. Diagnosis of PLC is usually based on a combination of clinical and radiologic findings. However, the diagnosis is difficult when patients have limited clinical findings or have a history of or the possibility of other interstitial lung diseases. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has been the modality of choice in the radiologic diagnosis of PLC. Imaging features of PLC on HRCT include thickening of interlobular septa, fissures, and bronchovascular bundles. Distribution of PLC may be focal or diffuse, unilateral or bilateral, and symmetric or asymmetric. Although FDG-PET has been extensively used in primary or secondary lung malignancies, its role and appearance in PLC have not been well determined in the literature. In this communication, we describe a spectrum of FDG-PET and CT findings in 5 cases with PLC. Similar to CT, the distribution of PLC can be extensive or limited on the FDG-PET. Diffuse, lobar, or segmental FDG uptake in the lungs is seen in extensive PLC. In limited PLC, a linear or a hazy area of FDG uptake extending from the tumor can be seen. Recognition of various patterns related to PLC on FDG-PET may allow accurate diagnosis of disease and could potentially influence the management of these patients.

Incidental Meningioma Mimicking Metastasis of Prostate Adenocarcinoma in 68Ga-Labeled PSMA Ligand PET/CT

A 67-year-old man with prostate adenocarcinoma underwent Ga-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand PET/CT for restaging due to a rising prostate-specific antigen level. Local recurrence in the prostatic region and a metastasis in the left iliac bone were detected showing high PSMA expression. A mass lesion was seen in the left orbitofrontal region with high Ga PSMA uptake. The successive MRI confirmed that the lesion was consistent with meningioma.

A New Clinical Model in Pulmonary Embolism and Its Correlation With V/P Scan Results

The study was prospectively designed to assess the correlation between a new clinical model empirically developed for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and ventilation/perfusion (V/P) scan results. One hundred sixty consecutive patients with suspected acute PE underwent clinical evaluation before V/P scintigraphy. The clinical probability of PE was categorized according to a structured clinical model empirically developed as low, intermediate, or high, and the results were compared with those of V/P scintigraphy. Forty, 61, and 59 patients were classified as low, intermediate, and high clinical probability, respectively. Seventy-five percent (30/40) of the patients with low clinical probability were also of low scintigraphic probability or had a normal result (rs: 0.39, p=0.000); 28% (17/61) of the patients with intermediate clinical probability demonstrated intermediate scintigraphic probability (rs: 0.20, p=0.012); and 68% (40/59) of the patients with high clinical probability were also of high scintigraphic probability (rs: 0.43, p=0.000). Overall, the correlation of two scoring systems was statistically significant (rs: 0.39, p=0.000). Unilateral leg swelling (p=0.027), syncope or near syncope (p=0.002), amputation of a hilar artery (p=0.007), and electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular overload (p=0.000) prevailed in patients with high scintigraphic probability. “Syncope-near syncope or hemodynamic collapse” PLUS “electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular overload or hypoxemia” combination had the most significant correlation with a high scintigraphic probability (rs: 0.31; p=0.000). In conclusion, the new clinical model empirically developed was significantly successful to provide comparable results with V/P scan. This consistency was particularly prominent in patients with low or high clinical probability for PE.