Correlation of Breast Cancer Subgroups and Axillary Metastases with 18F-FDG PET/CT and the Contribution of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Management of the Axilla.

Abstract

To investigate whether breast and axilla maximum standard uptake (SUVmax) values contribute to the treatment approach in breast cancer subgroups. A descriptive study. University of Health Sciences/Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, from April 2017 to September 2019. Ninety patients, operated for early breast cancer, were examined histopathologically and demographically. Those patients were divided into subgroups, according to the St. Gallen consensus. Breast and axillary SUVmax uptakes of these subgroups were determined using (Fluorine18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). These values were compared with postoperative pathology results Results: The triple negative group had the highest values and the Luminal B pos (+) group had the lowest values, when the mean values of breast and axilla SUVmax were compared. Axilla SUVmax value in those with metastatic lymph node was 1.939 times higher than those without it. The cut-off value of SUVmax value of the axillary lymph nodes was found to be 1.1 in distinguishing metastatic from non-metastatic. As the biological aggressiveness of tumor increased, SUVmax values increased in parallel. As a result, SUVmax values guided in determining the presence of axillary metastasis and treatment strategy. Key Words: Breast cancer, 18F-FDG PET/ CT, SUVmax values, Tumor subgroups, Axilla.