Positron emission tomography with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose to evaluate response of early breast carcinoma treated with stereotaxic interstitiallaser therapy

Stereotaxic interstitial laser therapy is a promising new alternative to su rgery to treat early-stage breast cancer. With this, laser energy coagulate s the tumor with controlled heat, leading to fibrosis. Fluorodeoxyglucose p ositron emission tomography (FDG PET) scanning was performed in four patien ts treated by this technique to determine the degree of necrosis after inte rstitial laser therapy. The results showed that FDG PET scanning was in clo se agreement with histopathologic findings, confirming complete necrosis in one patient and variable response in the other three patients. Uptake of F DG appears to be a reliable means to monitor treatment response after inter stitial laser therapy and may be useful in the management of breast cancer when used with this new procedure.