Coincident Pelvic Uptake in the F-18 FDG PET/CT Imaging in Patients With the Diagnosis of Breast Carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: The F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging is a commonly preferred imaging modality for staging of breast carcinoma. The gynecological tumors are more frequently present in patients with breast carcinoma compared to the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical importance of the uterine and adnexal uptake observed incidentally in the F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging of breast carcinoma.

Patients and Methods: The F-18 FDG PET/CT images (performed for staging or treatment response evaluation purposes) of the patients (sixty six women mean: 49,5 (12,6 years old) with diagnosis of the breast carcinoma with suspicious uterine and/or adnexal uptake were included in the study. The imaging results were compared with pelvic examination data as well as operative and pathology results.

Results: In the imaging studies the increased FDG uptake sites were the primary tumor (mean 27, 3 (24,5) mm, SUVmax=31,3 (20) in 35 patients, and in 22 patients additional axillar metastases and distant metastasis in 19 patient were observed. Among the patients involved in the study 29 had unilateral adnexal uptake and/or lesion and/or uterine uptake and others had suspicious findings without increased uptake.

Conclusion: Referral of the patients for gynecological examination with coincident uterine and adnexal abnormal uptake in the F-18 FDG PET/CT would be the appropriate approach in the patients with the diagnosis of breast cancer