Positron emission tomography with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose to evaluate response of early breast carcinoma treated with stereotaxic interstitiallaser therapy
N. Nair et al., Positron emission tomography with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose to evaluate response of early breast carcinoma treated with stereotaxic interstitiallaser therapy, CLIN NUCL M, 25(7), 2000, pp. 505-507
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.