Abstract:
Background: Needing an alternate non-invasive imaging technique with a higher diagnostic value in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP), fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) emerges as an excellent problem-solving tool which can replace many other imaging modalities. This work aimed to evaluate the role of FDG-PET/CT in management of patients with carcinoma of unknown primary tumor site.
Subjects & methods: In this work PET/CT was performed for 30 patients presented with metastasis of unknown primary, after IV injection of the radiotracer 18F-FDG. Images were evaluated and cases of suspicion of primary tumor were correlated with all clinical, pathological & follow up information.
Results: The primary tumor site was defined in 83.4% of cases using PET/CT, with sensitivity of 89.3%, accuracy of 86.6 % and specificity of 50%.
Conclusion and recommendations: although being a single imaging modality, FDG-PET/CT has several practical advantages in earlier detection of primary in CUP patients compared to other investigations, and thus allowing earlier proper management and better prognosis.