| Case
History |
| This
41-year old female with a history of breast
cancer presented for evaluation of rising serum
tumor markers and a solitary T-spine abnormality
on bone scan. A CT scan of the chest, abdomen
and pelvis was interpreted as normal. |
| PET
Scan Results |
| PET
scan confirmed a T-spine metastasis (arrow).
Additionally, the PET scan demonstrated a nodal
metastasis in the right lung (curved arrow)
and marrow infiltration by breast cancer in
the pelvis (arrow heads). |
| PET
Outcome |
| Repeat
PET scans at three and eight months following
initiation of chemotherapy showed resolution
of the thoracic abnormalities and eventually
regression of the tumor infiltration in the
pelvic bone marrow. The chemotherapy regimen
was continued based upon the strong evidence
of efficacy provided by PET scanning. The patient's
tumor markers have remained normal for 6-months.
In this patient, PET scanning completely
identified the full extent of metastatic disease.
It provided objective evidence of breast cancer
response to chemotherapy and helped guide her
course of therapy. |
