Possibilities of positron emission tomography in the metastatic breast cancer diagnosis

Abstract

An analysis of published data on the possibilities of the positron emission tomography method application in complex diagnostic and treatment activities in metastatic breast cancer was performed. The possibilities are described and the method characteristics according to series of studies, in particular with regard to the various localization metastases identification are given. It is noted that, compared with conventional imaging techniques, positron emission tomography is more sensitive and specific method of distant metastases diagnosis. The results of clinical studies on assessment of the method application possibilities in the detection of breast cancer metastases in lymph nodes, various organs and bone metastases are given. It has been shown that the introduction of sodium fluoride into practice allowed to use this agent as bone tissue biomarker, which can be used in positron emission tomography performing. The data that the simultaneous use of positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and computed tomography has a high diagnostic value in relation to the breast cancer distant metastases detection are presented. The method possibilities for the various forms of primary invasive breast cancer identification, including invasive ductal and lobular cancer are considered. The prospects analysis for a further increase of opportunities for positron emission tomography application is performed, in particular, reports on the possibility of so-called hybrid scanning using positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are considered. It is highlighted that the most important aim of the method use in clinical practice in the prospect may be local-regional recurrence and distant metastasis monitoring after primary treatment for breast cancer.