Glycolytic activity in breast cancer using 18F-FDG PET/CT as prognostic predictor: A molecular phenotype approach.

AIM: To explore the relationship between basal (18)F-FDG uptake in breast tumors and survival in patients with breast cancer (BC) using a molecular phenotype approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective and multicentre study included 193 women diagnosed with BC. All patients underwent an (18)F-FDG PET/CT prior to treatment. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in tumor (T), lymph nodes (N), and the N/T index was obtained in all the cases. Metabolic stage was established. As regards biological prognostic parameters, tumors were classified into molecular sub-types and risk categories. Overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were obtained. An analysis was performed on the relationship between semi-quantitative metabolic parameters with molecular phenotypes and risk categories. The effect of molecular sub-type and risk categories in prognosis was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and univariate and multivariate tests. RESULTS: Statistical differences were found in both SUVT and SUVN, according to the molecular sub-types and risk classifications, with higher semi-quantitative values in more biologically aggressive tumors. No statistical differences were observed with respect to the N/T index. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that risk categories were significantly related to DFS and OS. In the multivariate analysis, metabolic stage and risk phenotype showed a significant association with DFS. CONCLUSION: High-risk phenotype category showed a worst prognosis with respect to the other categories with higher SUVmax in primary tumor and lymph nodes.

18F-FDG semi-quantitative parameters and biological prognostic factors in locally advanced breast cancer.

AIM: To analyse the correlation between (18)F-FDG uptake assessed by PET/CT in locally advanced breast tumours and histopathological and immunohistochemical prognostic factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six women with breast cancer were prospectively evaluated. PET/CT was requested in the initial staging previous to adjuvant chemotherapy (multicentric study). All the patients underwent an (18)F-FDG PET/CT with a dual-time-point acquisition. Both examinations were evaluated qualitatively and semiquantitatively with calculation of SUVmax values in PET-1 (SUV-1) and in PET-2 (SUV-2) and the percentage variation of the standard uptake values (retention index) between PET-1 and PET-2. Clinical and metabolic stages were assessed according to TNM classification. The biological prognostic parameters, such as the steroid receptor status, p53 and c-erbB-2 expression, proliferation rate (Ki-67), and grading were determined from tissue of the primary tumour. Metabolic and biological parameters were correlated. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between semiquantitative metabolic parameters and biological parameters. SUV-1 and SUV-2 values did not show significant statistical correlation (p<.05) except for the clinical tumour size. About the biological parameters, retention index showed the best results with positive and significant relation (p<.05) with estrogen and progesterone receptor status and Ki-67. Isolated SUV values did not show significant relation to these parameters. CONCLUSION: Retention index showed the best relation with biological parameters compared to isolated SUVmax values. These data suggest that SUV change over time is a prognostic marker.

[Subareolar injection: a potential cause of false negative in the selective biopsy of the sentinel node in breast cancer]. / Inyección subareolar: potencial causa de falso negativo en la biopsia selectiva de ganglio centinela en cáncer de mama.

Sentinel node biopsy has become the standard practice in lymph node staging in breast cancer in early stages. However, uncertainty remains regarding the best method of radiotracer/dye injection. Currently, the subareolar injection is being widely used because of its technical simplicity and higher rates of SN location versus the so-called deep techniques (peritumoral, intratumoral) that require greater specialization and greater use of resources in the non-palpable lesions. We present a case of a discrepancy between the two techniques that could have caused a false negative.

Possible branchiogenic carcinoma coinciding with metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma.

We report the discovery of a cystic lesion of flat lining epithelium with areas of squamous carcinoma, associated with metastatic cervical nodes of a papillary thyroid cancer, and discuss the diagnostic possibilities.