[18F]FDG whole-body PET-MR including an integrated breast MR protocol for locoregional and distant staging in breast cancer patients-a feasibility study

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Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate in a feasibility study the combination of [ F]FDG whole-body (WB) positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance (PET-MR), including an integrated breast MR within a single protocol for locoregional and distant staging in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with breast cancer diagnoses according to conventional imaging modalities (full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and ultrasound (US)) were prospectively included. All patients underwent [ F]FDG WB PET-MR, including an integrated dedicated breast MR (prone position) and WB PET-MR (supine position) protocol. Results of [ F]FDG WB PET-MR, including integrated breast MR, versus conventional imaging modalities were compared. RESULTS: From April 2021-April 2022, 28 patients were included. On conventional imaging, cT1-2 breast cancer was present in 22 (FFDM) and 23 (US) out of 28 patients. With regard to clinical nodal status, eight patients were considered cN0, eighteen cN1 (1-3 suspicious lymph nodes), and two patients were cN2 (four suspicious axillary lymph nodes/internal mammary lymph node metastasis). [ F]FDG WB PET-MR, including an integrated breast MR protocol, upstaged clinical tumor status in two patients and clinical nodal status in nine patients according to both [ F]FDG WB PET-MR and breast MR findings. In addition, distant metastases were detected in three patients (liver/bone), and another patient was diagnosed with a synchronous primary tumor (lung cancer). CONCLUSION: [ F]FDG WB PET-MR, including an integrated breast MR within a single protocol in breast cancer patients, is feasible and provides a promising new approach in breast cancer patients with regard to locoregional and distant staging. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: [ F]FDG whole-body PET-MR, including an integrated breast MR protocol, is feasible and allows locoregional and distant staging within a single imaging exam in breast cancer patients. KEY POINTS: [ F]FDG PET-MR allows the combination of breast MR and whole-body staging. Therefore, a single protocol of whole-body [ F]FDG PET-MR, including an integrated breast MRI, is investigated. [ F]FDG PET-MR, including an integrated breast MR is feasible and can be considered in daily clinical practice.
Original languageEnglish
Article number243
Number of pages7
JournalInsights into Imaging
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Oct 2024

Keywords

  • Breast neoplasms
  • Computed tomography
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Neoplasm staging
  • Positron emission tomography

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