PET/CT Versus CT In Post-Operative Follow Up Of Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Abstract:Objectives: The aim of this work is to compare the sensitivity and specificity of CT alone versus PET/CT in postoperative follow up of breast cancer patients. Background: Positron emission tomography (PET), using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is based on the principle of increased glucose metabolism in malignant tumors and has been frequently investigated in breast cancer. Materials & Methods: Thirty female patients with breast cancer have been investigated. All patients had positive operative history. PET/CT studies were performed for post-operative follow up. The inclusion criteria in this study are histologically proved breast cancer, positive operative history and normal blood urea and creatinine levels. Exclusion criteria is pregnancy and renal impairment. Patients were divided into three groups, first group FDG PET/CT was requested for non-conclusive CT findings, second group patients referred for FDG PET/CT for elevated tumor markers, while in third group FDG PET/CT was requested for follow up after chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Results: A comparison of the sensitivity and specificity for CT alone versus PET/CT in each group, in the first group CT alone had sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 12.5% respectively, while PET/CT had sensitivity and specificity 100%. In the second group CT alone had sensitivity and specificity of 57% and 100% respectively, while PET/CT had sensitivity and specificity of 100%. In group three, CT alone had sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 84.25%, respectively and PET/CT had sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 100%.Conclusions: PET/CT is more sensitive and specific than CT alone for post-operative follow up of breast cancer patients.