18F-FDG PET /CT for Monitoring of Treatment Response in Breast Cancer

Ghalwash, Asmaa Abdel Monem; Kamal, Tamer Ahmed; Dawoud, Rasha Mahmoud; Mohamed, Ahmed Said

doi:10.21608/bmfj.2025.343907.2283

18F-FDG PET /CT for Monitoring of Treatment Response in Breast Cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ M.B.B. Ch M.Sc. Of Radiodiagnosis, Tanta University

² Professor of diagnostic and interventional radiology Faculty of Medicine - Benha University

³ Professor of diagnostic radiology Faculty of Medicine - Tanta University

⁴ Lecturer of diagnostic radiology Faculty of Medicine - Benha University

10.21608/bmfj.2025.343907.2283

Abstract

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET), with or without integrated computed tomography (CT), using 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is based on the principle of increased glucose metabolism in malignant tumors and has been investigated frequently in breast cancer (BC). The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in monitoring treatment of BC and assessment of recurrence after surgical or systemic treatment. Methods: This current study was carried out on 50 female patients aged from 24 to 73 years old, diagnosed with BC undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radio, hormonal or surgical treatment. All patients were subjected to 18F-FDG and PET /CT evaluation. Results: Detection of lesions by 18F-FDG PET /CT was positive in 37 (74%) patients. Local recurrence occurred in 7 (14%) patients. Distance metastasis occurred in brain in 1 (2%) patient, lymph node in 6 (12%) patients, liver in 6 (12%) patients, lung in 5 (10%) patients and bone in 7 (14%) patients. local recurrence and distance metastasis occurred in 5 (10%) patients. Distance metastasis occurred in brain in 1 (2%) patient, lymph node in 2 (4%) patients, liver in 5 (10%) patients, lung in 4 (8%) patients and bone in 6 (12%) patients. Progression occurred in 22 (44%) patients. Regression occurred in 13 (26%) patients. Stationary occurred in 3 (6%) patients. Conclusions: Whole body FDG-PET/CT must be considered a useful and golden tool in monitoring treatment of BC allowing an identification of the local recurrence of the BC and distance metastasis.

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