Background: Breast Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among females, accounting for 23% of the total cancer cases, and 14% of the cancer deaths.
Objective: To evaluate the role of [(18F)2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose] (FDG) Positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) in early detection of breast cancer metastasis.
Patients and Methods: The current study was a prospective observational study. The study is performed at MustafaKamilMilitaryHospital during the period between January 2021 till July 2021. The study population consisted of 50 female breast cancer patients which were to be under investigation for suspicion of breast cancer recurrence or metastasis especially patients who had previously been cleared of breast cancer.
Results: FDG PET/CT was very useful for restaging of cancer in patients with documented breast cancer recurrence or in those who were suspected of having breast cancer recurrence and was more efficient than PET alone and conventional imaging methods. Among the 50 patients referred for initial staging by PET/CT, only 8 patients (16%) returned back for restaging after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy. PET/CT showed 4 patients (50%) in stationary course and down staged 4 patients (50%).
Conclusion: The use of maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) proved to be more efficient in restaging studies after neoadjuvant therapy more related to the functional activity of the residual tumor cells rather than to the size of the tumor in which tumor regression can be masked by peritumoral scar tissue formation and edema. PET/CT provided information about biologic aggressiveness of the tumor and prognosis.