2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in Oncology: New Evidences and Future Perspectives

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2021) | Viewed by 11990

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
Interests: lymphoma; nuclear medicine; PET/CT; imaging
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E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nuclear Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
Interests: nuclear medicine; PET/CT; scintigraphy; oncology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Accurate diagnosis, staging and restaging are essential for the optimal management and therapeutic choice for oncological patients.

In this scenario, the potential usefulness of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT) is well demonstrated in different oncological diseases and for different purposes (such as staging, treatment response evaluation, restaging). 18F-FDG is an analogue of glucose and provides valuable functional information based on the increased glucose uptake and glycolysis of cancer cells and depicts metabolic abnormalities before morphological alterations occur. PET/CT is a hybrid tool that allows the acquisition of both morphological and functional data in the same imaging helping in the definition of disease status. However, there are some limitations and areas of uncertainty, mainly regarding the lack of specificity of 18F-FDG uptake and the variable FDG-avidity of some cancers.

Nowadays other more specific radiotracers (like choline, PSMA, DOTA-peptides) and new scanners (PET/MRI) have been developed with promising evidence; however, the role of 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT remains fundamental and widespread. Moreover, several areas of interest are yet to be widely investigated.

This Special Issue will highlight the role of 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT for the study of oncological diseases. We encourage authors to submit both preclinical and clinical studies in the field. Clinical studies may include systematic reviews, retrospective studies, and prospective studies emphasizing the role and need of 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in oncology.

Dr. Domenico Albano
Prof. Francesco Bertagna
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • PET/CT
  • 18F-FDG
  • nuclear medicine
  • imaging
  • oncology

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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3 pages, 240 KiB  
Communication
The “Undetermined Significance” of 18F-FDG PET/CT or PET/MRI in Patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
by Giorgio Treglia, Francesco Bertagna and Domenico Albano
Medicina 2021, 57(8), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57080856 - 23 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1991
Abstract
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a highly prevalent condition with the possible risk of progression to multiple myeloma (MM) or a lymphoproliferative neoplasm in a small percentage of patients. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) or positron [...] Read more.
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a highly prevalent condition with the possible risk of progression to multiple myeloma (MM) or a lymphoproliferative neoplasm in a small percentage of patients. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) or positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) are imaging methods increasingly used in patients with MM. The aim of this communication is to underline that, taking into account current evidence-based data, compared to MM the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT or PET/MRI in MGUS is still undetermined and more studies should be performed before suggesting 18F-FDG PET/CT or PET/MRI for evaluation of MM progression in patients with MGUS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in Oncology: New Evidences and Future Perspectives)
12 pages, 1179 KiB  
Article
Validity of Clinical Assessment Using Clinical Symptoms and C-Reactive Protein for Therapeutic Response in Pyogenic Vertebral Osteomyelitis: Analysis Based on 18F-FDG-PET
by Ikchan Jeon, Dongwoo Yu and Eunjung Kong
Medicina 2021, 57(8), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57080809 - 06 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
Backgroundand objectives: The clinical assessment of therapeutic response in pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) has been usually performed based on the changes of clinical symptoms and blood inflammatory markers. Recently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) has emerged as an alternative [...] Read more.
Backgroundand objectives: The clinical assessment of therapeutic response in pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) has been usually performed based on the changes of clinical symptoms and blood inflammatory markers. Recently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) has emerged as an alternative independent method. We analyzed the validity of the clinical assessment for detecting residual PVO based on 18F-FDG-PET. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with 53 patients confirmed as lumbar PVO under retrospective design. All patients underwent clinical assessment using clinical symptoms and C-reactive protein (CRP) for therapeutic response after parenteral antibiotic therapy, which led to the decision of placement in the uncontrolled (group UC) or controlled (group C) group. The validity of clinical assessment was analyzed based on the cut-off values of FDG uptake for detecting residual PVO as references, which are already established in the previous literature. Results: The mean duration of parenteral antibiotic therapy and recurrence rate were 42.19 ± 15.84 (21–89) days and 9.4% (5/53), respectively. 18F-FDG-PETs were performed at 80 rounds of clinical assessment on 37.40 ± 13.15 (21–83) days of parenteral antibiotic therapy and divided: 31 into group UC and 49 into group C, according to the decisions of clinical assessment. Based on the cut-off values of FDG uptake, clinical assessment showed 48.4–58.1% of false positive for residual PVO in group UC. However, 18F-FDG-PET showed 8.2% (4/49) of false negative for residual PVO in group C, which led to recurrences. Conclusions: Clinical assessment using clinical symptoms and CRP for evaluating therapeutic response in PVO is still a useful method in terms of similar recurrence rate compared to 18F-FDG-PET. However, the high rate of false positive for residual PVO can prolong the use of unnecessary antibiotics and overall treatment period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in Oncology: New Evidences and Future Perspectives)
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12 pages, 2038 KiB  
Article
To Enhance or Not to Enhance? The Role of Contrast Medium 18F-FDG PET/CT in Recurrent Ovarian Carcinomas
by Michela Massollo, Francesco Fiz, Gianluca Bottoni, Martina Ugolini, Francesco Paparo, Cristina Puppo, Nicoletta Provinciali, Massimiliano Iacozzi, Vania Altrinetti, Angelina Cistaro, Manlio Cabria, Andrea DeCensi, Giorgio Treglia and Arnoldo Piccardo
Medicina 2021, 57(6), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57060561 - 01 Jun 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2007
Abstract
Background and Objectives: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) represents the mainstay diagnostic procedure for suspected ovarian cancer (OC) recurrence. PET/CT can be integrated with contrast medium and in various diagnostic settings; however, the effective benefit of this procedure [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) represents the mainstay diagnostic procedure for suspected ovarian cancer (OC) recurrence. PET/CT can be integrated with contrast medium and in various diagnostic settings; however, the effective benefit of this procedure is still debated. We aimed to compare the diagnostic capabilities of low-dose and contrast-enhanced PET/CT (PET/ldCT and PET/ceCT) in patients with suspected ovarian cancer relapse. Materials and Methods: 122 OC patients underwent both PET/ldCT and PET/ceCT. Two groups of nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists scored the findings as positive or negative. Clinical/radiological follow-up was used as ground truth. Sensitivity, specificity, negative/positive predictive value, and accuracy were calculated at the patient and the lesion level. Results: A total of 455 and 474 lesions were identified at PET/ldCT and PET/ceCT, respectively. At the lesion level, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were not significantly different between PET/ldCT and PET/ceCT (98%, 93.3%, 97.4%, 94.9%, and 96.9% for PET/ldCT; 99%, 95.5%, 98.3%, 97%, and 98% for PET/ceCT, p = ns). At the patient level, no significant differences in these parameters were identified (e.g., p = 0.22 and p = 0.35 for accuracy, in the peritoneum and lymph nodes, respectively). Smaller peritoneal/lymph node lesions close to physiological FDG uptake sources were found in the cases of misidentification by PET/ldCT. PET/ceCT prompted a change in clinical management in four cases (3.2%) compared to PET/ldCT. Conclusions: PET/ceCT does not perform better than PET/ldCT but can occasionally clarify doubtful peritoneal findings on PET/ldCT. To avoid unnecessary dose to the patient, PET/ceCT should be excluded in selected cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in Oncology: New Evidences and Future Perspectives)
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11 pages, 1227 KiB  
Article
Prognostic Impact of Pretreatment 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT Parameters in Primary Gastric DLBCL
by Domenico Albano, Francesco Dondi, Angelica Mazzoletti, Pietro Bellini, Raffaele Giubbini and Francesco Bertagna
Medicina 2021, 57(5), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57050498 - 14 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1961
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Primary gastric diffuse large-B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive lymphoma subtype with high 18F-FDG avidity but unclear criteria for 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of treatment response and prognostication. Our aim was to investigate whether [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Primary gastric diffuse large-B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive lymphoma subtype with high 18F-FDG avidity but unclear criteria for 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of treatment response and prognostication. Our aim was to investigate whether the pretreatment 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT variables may predict treatment response (at end of first-line therapy) and prognosis in primary gastric DLBCL. Materials and Methods: we included 57 patients with a diagnosis of primary gastric DLBCL and a baseline 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT and an end of treatment PET/CT after 6 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy. We analyzed PET images qualitatively and semi-quantitatively by deriving the maximum standardized uptake value body weight (SUVbw), the maximum standardized uptake value lean body mass (SUVlbm), the maximum standardized uptake value body surface area (SUVbsa), lesion to liver SUVmax ratio (L-L SUV R), lesion to blood-pool SUVmax ratio (L-BP SUV R), metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis of gastric lesion (gMTV and gTLG), and total MTV (tMTV) and TLG. Survival curves were plotted according to the Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: at a median follow up of 80 months, the median PFS and OS were 69 and 80 months. Baseline gMTV, gTLG, tMTV, and TLG were significantly higher in patients with incomplete response (partial response and progression) compared to complete response group. tMTV and TLG were confirmed to be independent prognostic factors both for PFS (p = 0.023 and p = 0.038) and OS (p = 0.038 and p = 0.026); instead, the other metabolic parameters were not related to outcome survival. Conclusions: high tMTV and TLG were significantly correlated with shorter survival (PFS and OS) and may predict incomplete response after therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in Oncology: New Evidences and Future Perspectives)
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4 pages, 2045 KiB  
Case Report
Concomitant Prostate Cancer and Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Differential Diagnosis Guided by a Combined 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-FDG PET/CT Approach
by Alberto Miceli, Mattia Riondato, Francesca D’Amico, Maria Isabella Donegani, Nataniele Piol, Marco Mora, Bruno Spina, Silvia Morbelli and Matteo Bauckneht
Medicina 2021, 57(9), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57090975 - 17 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2506
Abstract
Here we report the case of concomitant favorable-risk prostate cancer and Hodgkin Lymphoma in a 38-year old male. 68Ga-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen-11 Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT) was performed for staging purposes, showing the focal PSMA prostatic uptake as well as the [...] Read more.
Here we report the case of concomitant favorable-risk prostate cancer and Hodgkin Lymphoma in a 38-year old male. 68Ga-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen-11 Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT) was performed for staging purposes, showing the focal PSMA prostatic uptake as well as the presence of enlarged low-PSMA expressing mediastinal lymphadenopathies, thus raising the suspicion of another malignancy. A subsequent 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT demonstrated a high FDG-avidity by mediastinal lymphadenopathies as opposed to the low prostate cancer FDG uptake. Of note, both tumor entities were clearly detected by the two scans. However, different ranges in terms of Maximum Standardized Uptake Value (SUVmax) uptake allowed the discrimination between the two tumor entities. At the subsequent mediastinal lymph nodal biopsy, the coexistence of Hodgkin lymphoma was documented. The present case suggests that even if specific for prostate cancer, 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT may raise the suspicion of other concurrent malignancies thanks to its non-receptor bounding mechanism. Further, it shows that in certain cases, the combination of 18F-FDG and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging may non-invasively guide the clinical management, optimizing the diagnostic process and the subsequent therapeutic interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in Oncology: New Evidences and Future Perspectives)
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