NEOPLASMS IN A PEDIATRIC POPULATION - 2-[F-18]-FLUORO-2-DEOXY-D-GLUCOSE PET STUDIES

PURPOSE: To assess the uptake of 2-[fluorine-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-gluc ose (FDG) in common and uncommon tumors in children and to develop a m ethod for performing positron emission tomography (PET) studies in chi ldren with malignant neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two pedi atric patients with known or suspected malignancies (27 scans) underwe nt FDG PET. Tumor uptake of FDG was measured on PET scans. RESULTS: Tu mor uptake of FDG was detected in 17 of 21 patients with malignant dis ease. Neuroblastomas and their metastases (including those that did no t absorb metaiodobenzylguanidine) intensely accumulated FDG. In a pati ent with Ewing sarcoma, FDG PET showed two foci of metastatic disease not evident on bone scans. In two patients, PET showed that large area s of the tumor were necrotic.CONCLUSION: FDG FET is feasible, is usefu l in the study of tumors in children, and may provide unique, clinical ly important information.