PET Imaging of Breast Cancer: Role in Patient Management

PET Clin. 2015 Apr;10(2):159-95. doi: 10.1016/j.cpet.2014.12.004.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in females. Imaging plays a critical role in diagnosis, staging and surveillance, and management of disease. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET the imaging is indicated in specific clinical setting. Sensitivity of detection depends on tumor histology and size. Whole body FDG PET can change staging and management. In recurrent disease, distant metastasis can be detected. FDG PET imaging has prognostic and predictive value. PET/MR is evolving rapidly and may play a role management, assessment of metastatic lesions, and treatment monitoring. This review discusses current PET modalities, focusing on of FDG PET imaging and novel tracers.

Keywords: Breast cancer imaging; FDG PET; FES; Fluoroestradiol imaging; Metabolic imaging; Prognosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / therapy
  • Estradiol / analogs & derivatives
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / methods
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Estradiol
  • 16-fluoroestradiol