David Fuster MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Pilar Paredes, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Martin Velasco-Romera MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gorane Hormaechea Santamaria MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Montse Fontanillas, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Montserrat Muņoz MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gabriel Zanon, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francisco Lomena, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francesca Pons, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the utility of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the locoregional staging of locally advanced breast cancer patients.

Thirty-four patients with non-inflammatory, large (>3cm), or locally advanced breast cancer were included. The mean age was 5610 yr. A whole-body FDG-PET scan and breast MRI previously to a core-biopsy were performed. All findings were confirmed by histopathological analysis of tumor specimens.

Primary tumor was correctly identified by both PET/CT and MRI in all patients. Axillary lymph node metastases were found in 18/34 cases. Extra-axillary metastatic lymph nodes in the mediastinum (1), right hilium (1), laterocervical (1) and supraclavicular (2) were also found. The sensitivity and specificity in the evaluation of axillary lymph nodes metastases for PET/CT and MRI were 78% and 100%, and 50% and 93%, respectively. PET/CT diagnosed all extra-axillary lymph nodes. However, an inflammatory laterocervical lymph node showing FDG uptake was considered as a false-positive case for PET/CT. Moreover, PET/CT yielded bone metastases in four cases, two of which had liver metastases as well.

PET/CT is a useful technique in locally advanced breast cancer, being superior to MRI for locoregional lymph node staging. Moreover, PET/CT allows the detection of unsuspected extra-axillary lymph nodes and distant metastases.

PET/CT can improve staging and therapeutic management of breast cancer patients.

Fuster, D, Paredes, P, Velasco-Romera, M, Santamaria, G, Fontanillas, M, Muņoz, M, Zanon, G, Lomena, F, Pons, F, et al, , Comparative Study in the Staging of Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Using 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and MRI.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4429091.html