Abstract
Functional imaging techniques including positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are now increasingly being used for oncological patient management. Knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of this evolving technique is critical for appropriate and optimal patient management. A state of the art presentation is provided to demonstrate the role of PET/CT in breast cancer, with a literature review and practical clinical patient examples from our very extensive experience of imaging in breast cancer. Current PET/CT does not have a sufficiently high accuracy for the diagnosis of primary breast cancer or for routine axillary nodal staging. Worldwide literature and our own experience show the converse to be true for metastatic breast cancer, PET/CT now being recognised as the most accurate single imaging modality to define/stage metastatic breast disease. The role of PET/CT in the patient pathway, with specific comparison with triple assessment, CT, magnetic resonance imaging and MDP bone scan is addressed. The accuracy of PET/CT for evaluation of nodal, visceral (including liver disease, brachial plexopathy and for pre/post-radio-frequency ablation evaluation) and bony disease is discussed. The important use of PET/CT for response assessment, specifically for bone disease, and its use in guiding management (re. hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) are highlighted. The development of more specific PET tracers, targeting the oestrogen receptor, is also discussed.
Highlights
Breast-sparing oncoplastic procedures (BSOP) offer a predictive marker guiding use of anti-oestrogen therapy, and radical new alternative to mastectomy and conventional breast- expression profiling appears to select patients more or less likely to conserving surgery in early breast cancer treatment
The aim was to document attitudes to male radiographers and the effect on the programme performance parameters through a postal questionnaire completed by 85.8% of a random sample of 2,000 women recently screened by BreastCheck
Nine per cent would not have proceeded if the radiographer was male; 17.5% agreed that ‘If there were male radiographers I would not return for another screening appointment’; and 18.3% were unsure
Summary
Breast-sparing oncoplastic procedures (BSOP) offer a predictive marker guiding use of anti-oestrogen therapy, and radical new alternative to mastectomy and conventional breast- expression profiling appears to select patients more or less likely to conserving surgery in early breast cancer treatment. We have compared the results of screening with analogue and digital technology over our first 2 years, in terms of recall rates, cancer detection rates and positive predictive value, and found no overall significant difference in any of these parameters. Abnormalities are graded as A, B or C at consensus by the radiologists and reporting radiographers depending upon the mammographic likelihood of cancer and biopsy This means that patients can be allocated to one of our three assessment clinics and at specific times within those clinics to facilitate workflow. Methods A retrospective analysis of all breast cancer patients with recurrence who had completed 5 years of follow-up was performed. Infection control is not routinely included in the quality assurance process of all units
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
