Additional value of F-18 FDG PET/CT for initial staging in breast cancer with clinically negative axillary nodes. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014;145:137-142. [PMID: 24682676 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-014-2924-8]

Nodal involvement in patients with small, clinically node-negative HER2-positive breast cancer after staging with FDG-PET/CT and neoadjuvant systemic therapy

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend systemic therapy for stage I HER2+ breast cancer (BC). Neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NAST) allows response-guided adjuvant treatment. However, prior to NAST only clinical nodal staging is available, risking undertreatment if ypN+ is observed. Here, we aim to evaluate the impact of FDG-PET/CT and NAST on nodal disease status in patients with small, node-negative HER2+ BC.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with small (≤3 cm), clinically node-negative HER2+ BC diagnosed between 2011 and 2023. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients with nodal disease on final pathology after upfront surgery or NAST followed by surgery with or without FDG-PET/CT. Patients received either paclitaxel + trastuzumab (PT) or a more extensive regimen.

RESULTS

Of the 370 included patients, 183 underwent FDG-PET/CT, detecting regional or distant metastases in 14 patients (7.7 %). Among 356 patients with cN0 disease, 44.1 % (n = 157/356) had upfront surgery, with only 3 % (5/157) having an FDG-PET/CT. The remaining 55.9 % (199/356) started with NAST, with 82 % (n = 164/199) having an FDG-PET/CT. Among patients treated with NAST, 36 % received PT. Nodal involvement on pathology was seen in 19.1 % (n = 29/152) after upfront surgery without FDG-PET/CT and 6.1 % (10/164) after NAST combined with FDG-PET/CT. After NAST, 58 % had a pCR (PT: 49 %, other: 63 %). Nodal involvement on final pathology was seen in 6.9 % after PT and in 5.5 % after more extensive regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of patients with ypN + after NAST combined with FDG-PET/CT was only 6.1 %. Neoadjuvant treatment can be a safe treatment strategy for patients with stage I HER2+ BC.

Role of [18F]FDG PET/CT in patients with invasive breast carcinoma of no special type: Literature review and comparison between guidelines

PURPOSE

The recently released EANM/SNMMI guideline, endorsed by several important clinical and imaging societies in the field of breast cancer (BC) care (ACR, ESSO, ESTRO, EUSOBI/ESR, EUSOMA), emphasized the role of [18F]FDG PET/CT in management of patients with no special type (NST) BC. This review identifies and summarizes similarities, discrepancies and novelties of the EANM/SNMMI guideline compared to NCCN, ESMO and ABC recommendations.

METHODS

The EANM/SNMMI guideline was based on a systematic literature search and the AGREE tool. The level of evidence was determined according to NICE criteria, and 85 % agreement or higher was reached regarding each statement. Comparisons with NCCN, ESMO and ABC guidelines were examined for specific clinical scenarios in patients with early stage through advanced and metastatic BC.

RESULTS

Regarding initial staging of patients with NST BC, [18F]FDG PET/CT is the preferred modality in the EANM-SNMMI guideline, showing superiority as a single modality to a combination of contrast-enhanced CT of thorax-abdomen-pelvis plus bone scan in head-to-head comparisons and a randomized study. Its use is recommended in patients with clinical stage IIB or higher and may be useful in certain stage IIA cases of NST BC. In NCCN, ESMO, and ABC guidelines, [18F]FDG PET/CT is instead recommended as complementary to conventional imaging to solve inconclusive findings, although ESMO and ABC also suggest [18F]FDG PET/CT can replace conventional imaging for staging patients with high-risk and metastatic NST BC. During follow up, NCCN and ESMO only recommend diagnostic imaging if there is suspicion of recurrence. Similarly, EANM-SNMMI states that [18F]FDG PET/CT is useful to detect the site and extent of recurrence only when there is clinical or laboratory suspicion of recurrence, or when conventional imaging methods are equivocal. The EANM-SNMMI guideline is the first to emphasize a role of [18F]FDG PET/CT for assessing early metabolic response to primary systemic therapy, particularly for HER2+ BC and TNBC. In the metastatic setting, EANM-SNMMI state that [18F]FDG PET/CT may help evaluate bone metastases and determine early response to treatment, in agreement with guidelines from ESMO.

CONCLUSIONS

The recently released EANM/SNMMI guideline reinforces the role of [18F]FDG PET/CT in the management of patients with NST BC supported by extensive evidence of its utility in several clinical scenarios.

Breast Cancer Systemic Staging (Comparison of Computed Tomography, Bone Scan, and 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/Computed Tomography)

After an overview of the principles of bone scintigraphy, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT, the advantages and limits of these modalities in the staging of breast cancer are discussed in this paper. CT and PET/CT are not optimal for delineating primary tumor volume, and PET is less efficient than the sentinel node biopsy to depict small axillary lymph node metastases. In large breast cancer tumor, FDG PET/CT is useful to show extra-axillary lymph nodes. FDG PET/CT is superior to bone scan and CE-CT in detecting distant metastases, and it results in a change of treatment plan in nearly 15% of patients.

FDG-PET/CT for Primary Staging and Detection of Recurrence of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer diagnosed in women worldwide. Accurate baseline staging is necessary to plan optimal breast cancer management. Early detection and staging of recurrence are also essential for optimal therapeutic management. Hybrid FDG-PET/CT imaging offers high sensitivity in detecting extra axillary lymph nodes and distant metastases. Although FDG-PET/CT has some limitations for low proliferative tumors, low-grade tumors and for well-differentiated luminal breast cancer, PET/CT is useful for the initial staging of breast cancer, regardless of tumor phenotype (luminal, triple negative, or HER2+) and of tumor grade. Although FDG-PET/CT performs better for invasive ductal carcinoma (invasive carcinoma of no specific subtype), it is also helpful for staging invasive lobular carcinomas. At initial staging, FDG-PET/CT becomes very useful for staging from clinical stage IIB (T2N1 or T3N0). FDG-PET/CT could be useful in patients with clinical stage IIA (T1N1 or T2N0), but there is not enough strong evidence to recommend routine use in this subgroup. For clinical stage I (T1N0) patients, FDG-PET/CT offers no added value. In patients with recurrent breast cancer, FDG-PET/CT is more effective than conventional imaging in detecting locoregional or distant recurrence, whether suspected by clinical examination, conventional imaging, or elevation of a tumor marker (CA 15.3 or CEA). PET/CT is effective even in the presence of normal tumor markers. PET/CT is also a powerful imaging modality for performing a whole-body workup of a known recurrence and for determining whether or not the recurrence is isolated.

Imaging for Radiation Planning in Breast Cancer

Radiation therapy is an integral component of the treatment of breast cancer. The indications and type of radiation therapy vary depending on disease invasiveness and stage. Imaging is the cornerstone for radiation therapy planning. While conventional imaging with CT remains the primary modality for radiation treatment planning locally in the breast, molecular imaging with [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT identifies additional occult disease that may help alter the local radiation therapy plan or treat oligometastatic disease. The ultimate effects on long-term outcomes remain to be determined. This article reviews the role of imaging in radiation planning for breast cancer.

Synchronous Malignancies Identified by PET-CT Scan in Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is a common malignancy and a common cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Pre-treatment workup of breast cancer does not routinely include positron emission tomography scans. We aimed to review cases of women with breast cancer and a synchronous second primary malignancy. We present three cases of women with non-metastatic cancer in whom a synchronous second primary malignancy was found. Synchronous, second primary malignancies which were identified included rectal cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and non-small cell lung cancer. All second primary malignancies were identified by a PET-CT scan. In conclusion, PET-CT may be used for detection of secondary primary malignancies in select breast cancer patients.

Is there utility for fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography scan before surgery in breast cancer? A 15-year overall survival analysis

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of preoperative fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET) scan for determining overall survival (OS) in breast cancer (BC) patients is controversial.

AIM

To evaluate the OS predictive value of preoperative PET positivity after 15 years.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective search of the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel patient database for nonmetastatic patients who underwent preoperative PET between 2002-2008. PET positivity was determined by anatomical region of interest (AROI) findings for breast and axillary, sternal, and distant sites. The prognostic role of PET was examined as a qualitative binary factor (positive vs negative status) and as a continuous variable [maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax)] in multivariate survival analyses using Cox proportional hazards models. Among the 104 identified patients who received PET, 36 were further analyzed for the SUVmax in the AROI.

RESULTS

Poor OS within the 15-year study period was predicted by PET-positive status for axillary (P = 0.033), sternal (P = 0.033), and combined PET-axillary/sternal (P = 0.008) nodes. Poor disease-free survival was associated with PET-positive axillary status (P = 0.040) and combined axillary/sternal status (P = 0.023). Cox models confirmed the long-term prognostic value of combined PET-axillary/sternal status [hazard ratio (HR): 3.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.42-6.69]. SUVmax of ipsilateral breast and axilla as continuous covariates were significant predictors of long-term OS with HRs of 1.25 (P = 0.048) and 1.54 (P = 0.029), corresponding to relative increase in the risk of death of 25% and 54% per SUVmax unit, respectively. In addition, the ratio of the ipsilateral axillary SUVmax over the contralateral axillary SUVmax was the most significant OS predictor (P = 0.027), with 1.94 HR, indicating a two-fold relative increase of mortality risk.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative PET is valuable for prediction of long-term survival. Ipsilateral axillary SUVmax ratio over the uninvolved side represents a new prognostic finding that warrants further investigation.

Sensitivity, Specificity and the Diagnostic Accuracy of PET/CT for Axillary Staging in Patients With Stage I-III Cancer: A Systematic Review of The Literature

BACKGROUND/AIM

Axillary lymph node (ALN) status plays a key role in the staging of breast cancer. Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) using 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸FDG) can visualise ALN metastasis. However, its utility compared to current methods is unclear. We systematically reviewed the role of ¹⁸FDG PET/CT in breast cancer staging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane were searched systematically up until August 2020. Included papers had true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN) and false negative (FN) rates, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).

RESULTS

Nine studies (n=1486) were included, showing: i) sensitivity=52.2%, ii) specificity=91.6%, iii) PPV=77.8%, iv) NPV=77.2, and v) accuracy=77.3%.

CONCLUSION

¹⁸FDG-PET/CT has a low sensitivity but high specificity for ALN disease. Therefore, ultrasound-guided biopsy could be considered in a positive CT/PET. Modest accuracy prohibits the use of ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT alone in axillary staging. Prospective research using standardised protocols and quantitative cut-off points is warranted.

Breast cancer: initial workup and staging with FDG PET/CT

Purpose

Precise staging is needed to plan optimal management in breast cancer. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography coupled with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) offers high sensitivity in detecting extra axillary lymph nodes and distant metastases. This review aims to clarify in which groups of patients staging with FDG-PET/CT would be beneficial and should be offered. We also discuss how tumor biology and breast cancer subtypes should be taken into account when interpreting FDG-PET/CT scans.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive literature review and rigorous appraisal of research studies assessing indications for FDG-PET/CT in breast cancer. This assessment regarding breast cancer served as a basis for the recommendations set by a working group of the French Society of Nuclear Medicine, in collaboration with oncological societies, for developing good clinical practice recommendations on the use of FDG-PET/CT in oncology.

Results

FDG-PET/CT is useful for initial staging of breast cancer, independently of tumor phenotype (triple negative, luminal or HER2 +) and regardless of tumor grade. Considering histological subtype, FDG-PET/CT performs better for staging invasive ductal carcinoma, although it is also helpful for staging invasive lobular carcinomas. Based on the available data, FDG-PET/CT becomes useful for staging starting from clinical stage IIB. FDG-PET/CT is possibly useful in patients with clinical stage IIA (T1N1 or T2N0), but there is not enough strong data to recommend routine use in this subgroup. For clinical stage I (T1N0) patients, staging with FDG-PET/CT offers no added value.

Conclusion

FDG-PET/CT is useful for staging patients with breast cancer, starting from clinical stage IIB.

Pretherapeutic Imaging for Axillary Staging in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Ultrasound, MRI and FDG PET

BACKGROUND

This systematic review aimed at comparing performances of ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) for axillary staging, with a focus on micro- or micrometastases.

METHODS

A search for relevant studies published between January 2002 and March 2018 was conducted in MEDLINE database. Study quality was assessed using the QUality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies checklist. Sensitivity and specificity were meta-analyzed using a bivariate random effects approach; Results: Across 62 studies (n = 10,374 patients), sensitivity and specificity to detect metastatic ALN were, respectively, 51% (95% CI: 43-59%) and 100% (95% CI: 99-100%) for US, 83% (95% CI: 72-91%) and 85% (95% CI: 72-92%) for MRI, and 49% (95% CI: 39-59%) and 94% (95% CI: 91-96%) for PET. Interestingly, US detects a significant proportion of macrometastases (false negative rate was 0.28 (0.22, 0.34) for more than 2 metastatic ALN and 0.96 (0.86, 0.99) for micrometastases). In contrast, PET tends to detect a significant proportion of micrometastases (true positive rate = 0.41 (0.29, 0.54)). Data are not available for MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with MRI and PET Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), US is an effective technique for axillary triage, especially to detect high metastatic burden without upstaging majority of micrometastases.

Impact of 18F-FDG PET, PET/CT, and PET/MRI on Staging and Management as an Initial Staging Modality in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of 18F-FDG PET, PET/CT, and PET/MRI on staging and management during the initial staging of breast cancer.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases until March 2020 to identify studies that reported the proportion of breast cancer patients whose clinical stage or management were changed after PET scans. The proportion of changes was pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and metaregression analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity.

RESULTS

We included 29 studies (4276 patients). The pooled proportions of changes in stage and management were 25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21%-30%) and 18% (95% CI, 14%-23%), respectively. When stage changes were stratified according to initial stage, the pooled proportions were 11% (95% CI, 3%-22%) in stage I, 20% (95% CI, 16%-24%) in stage II, and 34% (95% CI, 27%-42%) in stage III. The relative proportions of intermodality and intention-to-treat changes were 74% and 70%, respectively. Using metaregression analyses, the mean age and the proportion of initial stage III to IV and histologic grade II to III were significant factors affecting the heterogeneity in changes in stage or management.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently available literature suggests that the use of 18F-FDG PET, PET/CT, or PET/MRI leads to significant modification of staging and treatment in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Therefore, there may be a role for routine clinical use of PET imaging for the initial staging of breast cancer.

Use of 18F-FDG PET/CT as an Initial Staging Procedure for Stage II-III Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Value Analysis

BACKGROUND

Metastatic staging imaging is not recommended for asymptomatic patients with stage I-II breast cancer. Greater distant metastatic disease risk may warrant baseline imaging in patients with stage II-III with high-risk biologic subtypes. NCCN Guidelines recommend considering CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis (CT CAP) and bone scan in appropriate patients. CT CAP and bone scan are considered standard of care (SoC), although PET/CT is a patient-centered alternative.

METHODS

Data were available for 799 high-risk patients with clinical stage II-III disease who initiated screening for the I-SPY2 trial at 4 institutions. A total of 564 complete records were reviewed to compare PET/CT versus SoC. Costs were determined from the payer perspective using the national 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and representative reimbursements to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) measured cost of using PET/CT per percent of patients who avoided a false-positive (FP).

RESULTS

The de novo metastatic disease rate was 4.6%. Imaging varied across the 4 institutions (P<.0001). The FP rate was higher using SoC versus PET/CT (22.1% vs 11.1%; P=.0009). Mean time between incidental finding on baseline imaging to FP determination was 10.8 days. Mean time from diagnosis to chemotherapy initiation was 44.3 days with SoC versus 37.5 days with PET/CT (P=.0001). Mean cost per patient was $1,132 (SoC) versus $1,477 (PET/CT) using the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, with an ICER of $31. Using representative reimbursements to UCSF, mean cost per patient was $1,236 (SoC) versus $1,073 (PET/CT) for Medicare, and $3,083 (SoC) versus $1,656 (PET/CT) for a private payer, with ICERs of -$15 and -$130, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Considerable variation exists in metastatic staging practices. PET/CT reduced FP risk by half and decreased workup of incidental findings, allowing for earlier treatment start. PET/CT may be cost-effective, and at one institution was shown to be cost-saving. Better alignment is needed between hospital pricing strategies and payer coverage policies to deliver high-value care.

Baseline staging imaging for distant metastasis in women with stages I, II, and III breast cancer

Background

In Ontario, there is no clearly defined standard of care for staging for distant metastasis in women with newly diagnosed and biopsy-confirmed breast cancer whose clinical presentation is suggestive of early-stage disease. This guideline addresses baseline imaging investigations for women with newly diagnosed primary breast cancer who are otherwise asymptomatic for distant metastasis.

Methods

The medline and embase databases were systematically searched for evidence from January 2000 to April 2019, and the best available evidence was used to draft recommendations relevant to the use of baseline imaging investigation in women with newly diagnosed primary breast cancer who are otherwise asymptomatic. Final approval of this practice guideline was obtained from both the Staging in Early Stage Breast Cancer Advisory Committee and the Report Approval Panel of the Program in Evidence-Based Care.

Recommendations

These recommendations apply to all women with newly diagnosed primary breast cancer (originating in the breast) who have no symptoms of distant metastasis Staging tests using conventional anatomic imaging [chest radiography, liver ultrasonography, chest-abdomen-pelvis computed tomography (ct)] or metabolic imaging modalities [integrated positron-emission tomography (pet)/ct, integrated pet/magnetic resonance imaging (mri), bone scintigraphy] should not be routinely ordered for women newly diagnosed with clinical stage i or stage ii breast cancer who have no symptoms of distant metastasis, regardless of biomarker status. In women newly diagnosed with stage iii breast cancer, baseline staging tests using either anatomic imaging (chest radiography, liver ultrasonography, chest-abdomen-pelvis ct) or metabolic imaging modalities (pet/ct, pet/mri, bone scintigraphy) should be considered regardless of whether the patient is symptomatic for distant metastasis and regardless of biomarker profile.

The Japanese Breast Cancer Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis, 2018 Edition

This article updates readers as to what is new in the Japanese Breast Cancer Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis, 2018 Edition. Breast cancer screening issues are covered, including matters of breast density and possible supplemental modalities, along with appropriate pre-operative/follow-up diagnostic breast imaging tests. Up-to-date clinical practice guidelines for breast cancer screening and diagnosis should help to provide patients and clinicians with not only evidence-based breast imaging options, but also accurate and balanced information about the benefits and harms of intervention, which ultimately enables shared decision making about imaging test plans.

Accuracy of a nomogram to predict the survival benefit of surgical axillary staging in T1 breast cancer patients

T1 breast cancer patients have favorable clinical outcomes, so that whether axillary stating (AS) surgery can be omitted in these patients is still unclear. This retrospective cohort study developed a nomogram to predict the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of T1 breast cancer patients with and without AS and estimate the survival benefit of AS in these patients.We used surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database to identify 232,195 breast cancer patients with T1 tumors diagnosed between 1990 and 2008. In the training cohort, we used the Kaplan-Meier method and the competing risk analysis, with non-CSS as the competing risk, to screen for prognostic factors for CSS. A nomogram to predict the CSS, with receiving AS or not as one of the predictors, was developed and externally validated, using the C-index and calibration plots. The survival benefit of AS can be estimated by the difference of 2 predicted CSS, when the patient was considered as having and not having AS.With a median follow-up of 109 months, the CSS of the study population were 96.3%, 92.3%, and 88.5% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Significant predictors for CSS identified in the training cohort were used to develop a nomogram, which was validated internally [C-index = 0.707, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.702-0.712] and externally (C-index = 0.704, 95% CI 0.698-0.710). The nomogram was well calibrated. With this nomogram, AS was predicted to have less than 2% benefit of 5-, 10-, and 15-year CSS in 60.6% (140,599/232,195), 15.5% (36,074/232,195), and 8.6% (20,043/232,195) of the entire study population, respectively.The new nomogram can accurately predict the CSS of T1 breast cancer patients, and also be able to estimate the survival benefit of AS in these patients. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

18F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer: Evidence-based recommendations in initial staging

Current guidelines do not systematically recommend 18F-FDG PET/CT for breast cancer staging; and the recommendations and level of evidence supporting its use in different groups of patients vary among guidelines. This review summarizes the evidence about the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer staging and the therapeutic and prognostic impact accumulated in the last decade. Other related aspects, such as the association of metabolic information with biology and prognosis are considered and evidence-based recommendations for the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer staging are offered. We systematically searched MEDLINE for articles reporting studies with at least 30 patients related to clinical questions following the Problem/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome framework. We critically reviewed the selected articles and elaborated evidence tables structuring the summarized information into methodology, results, and limitations. The level of evidence and the grades of recommendation for the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in different contexts are summarized. Level III evidence supports the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging in patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer; the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of the 18F-FDG PET/CT findings is sufficient for a weak recommendation in this population. In patients with locally advanced breast cancer, level II evidence supports the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging; the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of the 18F-FDG PET/CT findings is sufficient for a strong recommendation in this population. In patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer, the metabolic information from baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT is associated with tumor biology and has prognostic implications, supported by level II evidence. In conclusion, 18F-FDG PET/CT is not recommended for staging all patients with early breast cancer, although evidence of improved regional and systemic staging supports its use in locally advanced breast cancer. Baseline tumor glycolytic activity is associated with tumor biology and prognosis.

Preoperative [18]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in early stage breast cancer: Rates of distant metastases

AIM

To investigate rates of distant metastases (DM) detected with [18]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) in early stage invasive breast cancer.

METHODS

We searched the English language literature databases of PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, Web of Science and Google Scholar, for publications on DM detected in patients who had 18FDG-PET/CT scans as part of the staging for early stages of breast cancer (stage I and II), prior to or immediately following surgery. Reports published between 2011 and 2017 were considered. The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

Among the 18 total studies included in the analysis, the risk of DM ranged from 0% to 8.3% and 0% to 12.9% for stage I and II invasive breast cancer, respectively. Among the patients with clinical stage II, the rate of occult metastases diagnosed by 18FDG-PET/CT was 7.2% (range, 0%-19.6%) for stage IIA and 15.8% (range, 0%-40.8%) for stage IIB. In young patients (< 40-year-old), 18FDG-PET/CT demonstrated a higher prevalence of DM at the time of diagnosis for those with aggressive histology (i.e., triple-negative receptors and poorly differentiated grade).

CONCLUSION

Young patients with poorly differentiated tumors and stage IIB triple-negative breast cancer may benefit from 18FDG-PET/CT at initial staging to detect occult DM prior to surgery.

Is Routine Axillary Imaging Necessary in Clinically Node-Negative Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy?

BACKGROUND

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend axillary imaging prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients who are clinically node negative (cN0) by physical examination. However, the benefit of this approach remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether abnormal axillary imaging pre-NAC predicts nodal metastases post-NAC (ypN+) in cN0 patients.

METHODS

cN0 patients undergoing NAC followed by axillary surgery were identified. Rates of ypN+ were compared among patients with abnormal pre-treatment axillary imaging vs. normal or no pre-treatment imaging using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

From May 2008 to March 2016, 402 eligible cN0 patients were identified. The median age of the patients was 49.5 years, and the median tumor size was 4 cm. Of these patients, 38% were estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-), 30% were HER2+ , and 32% were triple negative. All had pre-NAC mammograms, 40% axillary ultrasound, 83% MRI, and 51% PET. Abnormal nodes on imaging were seen in 208 patients (52%); 128 had pre-NAC node biopsy, and 75 were positive. Overall, 28% of the patients (n = 111) were ypN+ post-NAC. Although the incidence of ypN+ was significantly higher in patients with abnormal nodes on pre-NAC imaging (p = 0.001), 54% did not require axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) post-NAC. Among the patients with normal nodes on pre-NAC imaging, 20% were ypN+ post-NAC.

CONCLUSIONS

Half of patients with abnormal nodes on pre-NAC imaging did not require ALND post-NAC, while 20% of those with normal pre-NAC nodes had disease post-NAC, indicating that in cN0 patients already selected for NAC, axillary imaging pre-NAC does not predict the need for axillary surgery post-NAC with sufficient accuracy to be clinically useful.

Is PET/CT Necessary in the Management of Early Breast Cancer?

PURPOSE

Advanced imaging methods in early breast cancers are not recommended before surgery. In contrast to the accepted guidelines, some recent studies have shown some benefits with the use of PET/CT in early-stage breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to document the efficacy of PET/CT in detection of distant metastasis as well as other primary cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records of all women patients diagnosed with early breast cancer between March 2012 and December 2014. Besides demographics, we recorded the clinical TNM stage, histology of the tumor, and hormone receptor status. As PET/CT imaging is a routine procedure in our center for early breast cancer, tumor size, lymph node status, distant metastasis, and possible other primary malignancies detected by PET/CT were also recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 419 women included in the study, 24.8% were clinically staged as stage I while the rest were stage II. Distant metastases were detected in 42 patients (10%). The yield of PET/CT in detecting metastasis was significant in stage II patients compared with stage I patients (12.4% vs 2.9%). In subgroup analysis of stage II patients, the performance of PET/CT in detecting metastasis was still evident in stage IIA patients (9.5%). In logistic regression analysis of the significant and near-significant factors (as detected by univariate analysis) effecting PET/CT detected distant metastasis, only nodal status (P = 0.053) was found to be significant.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest the use of PET/CT in investigating metastasis in axilla positive and clinically stage II early breast cancer patients.

The role of FDG PET/CT in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for localized bone sarcomas

Purpose

The histological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an important prognostic factor in patients with osteosarcoma (OS) and Ewing sarcoma (EWS). The aim of this study was to assess baseline primary tumour FDG uptake on PET/CT, and serum values of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), to establish whether these factors are correlated with tumour necrosis and prognosis.

Methods

Patients treated between 2009 and 2014 for localized EWS and OS, who underwent FDG PET/CT as part of their staging work-up, were included. The relationships between primary tumour SUVmax at baseline (SUV1), SUVmax after induction chemotherapy (SUV2), metabolic response calculated as [(SUV1 − SUV2)/SUV1)] × 100, LDH and ALP and tumour response/survival were analysed. A good response (GR) was defined as tumour necrosis >90 % in patients with OS, and grade II-III Picci necrosis (persitence of microscopic foci only or no viable tumor) in patients with Ewing sarcoma.

Results

The study included 77 patients, 45 with EWS and 32 with OS. A good histological response was achieved in 53 % of EWS patients, and 41 % of OS patients. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 57 % in EWS patients and 48 % OS patients. The median SUV1 was 5.6 (range 0 – 17) in EWS patients and 7.9 (range 0 – 24) in OS patients (p = 0.006). In EWS patients the GR rate was 30 % in those with a high SUV1 (≥6) and 72 % in those with a lower SUV1 (p = 0.0004), and in OS patients the GR rate was 29 % in those with SUV1 ≥6 and 64 % in those with a lower SUV1 (p = 0.05). In the univariate analysis the 3-year EFS was significantly better in patients with a low ALP level (59 %) than in those with a high ALP level (22 %, p = 0.02) and in patients with a low LDH level (62 %) than in those with a high LDH level (37 %, p = 0.004). In EWS patients the 3-year EFS was 37 % in those with a high SUV1 and 75 % in those with a low SUV1 (p = 0.004), and in OS patients the 3-year EFS was 32 % in those with a high SUV1 and 66 % in those with a low SUV1 (p = 0.1). Histology, age and gender were not associated with survival. In the multivariate analysis, SUV1 was the only independent pretreatment prognostic factor to retain statistical significance (p = 0.017). SUV2 was assessed in 25 EWS patients: the median SUV2 was 1.9 (range 1 – 8). The GR rate was 20 % in patients with a high SUV2, and 67 % in those with a low SUV2 (p = 0.02). A good metabolic response (SUV reduction of ≥55 %) was associated with a 3-year EFS of 80 % and a poor metabolic response with a 3-year EFS of 20 % (p = 0.05). In the OS patients the median SUV2 was 2.7 (range 0 – 4.5). Neither SUV2 nor the metabolic response was associated with outcome in OS patients.

Conclusion

FDG PET/CT is a useful and noninvasive tool for identifying patients who are more likely to be resistant to chemotherapy. If this finding is confirmed in a larger series, SUV1, SUV2 and metabolic response could be proposed as factors for stratifying EWS patients to identify those with high-grade localized bone EWS who would benefit from risk-adapted induction chemotherapy.

¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for Staging and Restaging of Breast Cancer

Many studies have pointed out the role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT (or (18)F-FDG PET) in patients with clinical stage III or II breast cancer. (18)F-FDG PET/CT might advantageously replace other staging procedures, such as bone scanning and possibly contrast-enhanced CT of the thorax or abdomen-pelvis. We discuss the findings, locoregional or distant, that can be expected in different categories of breast cancer and their impact on prognosis and management. We also discuss the role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in restaging and how (18)F-FDG PET/CT compares with conventional techniques in restaging for patients with suspected disease recurrence. We conclude with some recommendations for clinical practice and future research.

PET Imaging of Breast Cancer: Role in Patient Management

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.

Triple assessment of sentinel lymph node metastasis in early breast cancer using preoperative CTLG, intraoperative fluorescence navigation and OSNA

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) became a standard surgical procedure for patients with early breast cancer; however, the optimal method of sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification remains controversial. The current study presents the protocol of our institution for preoperative and intraoperative SLN detection.

METHODS

Fifty female patients with early breast cancer and clinically node-negative axilla were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent preoperative CT lymphography (CTLG), intraoperative SLNB using fluorescence navigation, intraoperative one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) and postoperative hematoxylin and eosin histopathological analysis. Prediction of metastasis by CTLG and detection of metastasis by OSNA were compared to results of histopathology as standard reference.

RESULTS

SLN were identified by preoperative CTLG and intraoperative SLNB with fluorescence navigation in all patients, the identification rate was 100 %. SLN metastases were detected as positive by OSNA in 9 patients (18 %), 4 were (++), 4 were (+) and 1 was (+I). SLN metastases were detected as positive by histopathology in 10 patients (20 %). The concordance rate between OSNA and permanent sections was 90 %. The negative predictive value of CTLG was 80 %.

CONCLUSION

Use of CTLG and fluorescence navigation made performing SLNB with high accuracy possible in institutions that cannot use the radioisotope method. OSNA provided accurate intraoperative method, allowing for completion of axillary node dissection during surgery and avoidance of second surgical procedure in patients with positive SLNs, thereby reducing patient distress and, finally, saving hospital costs.