Positron emission tomography in the evaluation of breast lesions

Objective: Positron emission tomography (PET) is a noninvasive imaging tech nique that detects altered metabolic activity in tissue. The objective of t his study was to evaluate PET in the evaluation of breast masses suspected to be malignant. Methods: Forty women scheduled for surgery for breast lesions suspected to be malignant were evaluated by palpation, mammography, ultrasonography and PET. Results: Thirty patients were found to have breast carcinomas (14 pT1, 14 p T2, 2 pT3), nine had benign tumors, and one had an axillary lymph node meta stasis of a malignant melanoma. PET showed high tracer uptake in 29 of the 31 malignant lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of PET for detecting carcinoma was 94 and 89 % respectively. PET demonstrated one 5-mm carcinoma that was missed by palpation and ultrasonography. Conclusions: In this series of high-risk patients PET had higher detection rates for breast cancer than ultrasonography, palpation, or mammography. PE T may be useful in the evaluation of breast lesions.