Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cancer of unknown primary”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Brain metastases from undiagnosed systemic neoplasms.

Fifty-six patients presenting with symptomatic brain metastasis but undiagnosed primary neoplasm were retrospectively studied. Metastases were almost equally solitary (57%) as multiple (43%), and 30% were cerebellar. Cerebral metastases were most often parietal (67%). Underlying cancers were diagnosed in 84% of patients, usually before death, with the remainder having equivocal or unknown primary cancers. Lung cancer was most common (68%), especially adenocarcinoma or small ("oat")-cell types, followed by gastrointestinal primary cancers (9%), cancers of the bladder and thyroid (2% each), melanoma (2%), and lymphoma (2%). Breast cancer was remarkably absent, perhaps due to its greater systemic involvement prior to brain metastasis, or its earlier detection on physical examination. Overall group survival rates were 55% (6 months) and 13% (12 months), and cerebellar and noncerebellar metastases had the same survival rate at 12 months. The diagnostic evaluation of these patients, often extensive and costly, should be individually tailored, as 23% had complaints or findings indicative of their underlying primary cancer. Overall, chest roentgenograms and computed tomograms of the chest were the tests of greatest yield, followed by computed tomograms of the abdomen and pelvis. A rationale for evaluation is presented.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed2004

Lesion detectability of a gamma camera based coincidence system with FDG in patients with malignant tumors: a comparison with dedicated positron emission tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the lesion detectability of a gamma camera based coincidence detector system (c-PET system) in comparison to the dedicated PET system (d-PET system), and thereby clarify the feasibility of the clinical application of this system and also describe any factors influencing the lesion detectability of the c-PET system. METHODS: We examined 74 patients including 19 with malignant lymphoma, 16 with lung cancer, 9 with primary malignant bone tumor, 7 with esophageal cancer, 6 with malignant melanoma, 3 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 with primary unknown cancer, 2 with breast cancer, 2 with colon cancer, and 7 with others. d-PET images were obtained using ECAT EXACT HR+ at 60 min, followed by c-PET imaging using ECAM at 120 min after the injection of 185 MBq of FDG. Each image was reconstructed without any attenuation correction. In the image interpretation, the whole body was classified into 16 regions (5 superficial regions and 11 deep regions). The FDG accumulation of the lesions was evaluated by visual grading based on the consensus of three nuclear medicine physicians, and the findings were classified into three grades; (++), (+), and (-). The lesions were also classified into 3 groups according to their size: large group (> or =2 cm), middle group (1 < or = <2 cm) and small group (<1 cm). RESULTS: In 627 regions, the abnormal FDG uptake was detected in 109 regions by the d-PET system. Out of 109 regions, the c-PET system could detect the lesions in 91 regions and was false positive in 1 region. Therefore, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the c-PET system were 83.5%, 99.8% and 97.0%, respectively. Lesion detectability of the small group (54.5%) was significantly lower than that of the large group (97.9%) (p < 0.001) and that of the middle group (93.1%) (p < 0.001); however, the difference in lesion detectability between the large and middle groups was not significant. Neither the degree of FDG accumulation nor the location of the lesion markedly influenced the lesion detectability of the c-PET system. However, when we focused on the large and middle size lesions, the detectability of deep lesions tended to be lower than that of superficial lesions. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the lesion detectability of the c-PET system was inferior to that of the d-PET system, especially in the case of small lesions. Further examination is required to assess the clinical usefulness of the c-PET system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Clinical impact of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in cancer patients. A comparative study between dedicated camera and dual-head coincidence gamma camera.

AIM: Positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can be performed using a dedicated PET scanner (PET-I) or a dual-head coincidence gamma camera (CGC-I). The aim of this study was to comparatively assess the impact of PET-I and CGC-I on clinical management in cancer patients. METHODS: From November 2000 to November 2002, PET-I and CGC-I were performed at an interval of 2 days in 151 patients with colorectal cancer (n=40), breast cancer (n=28), thyroid cancer (n=23), lung tumors (n=22), germ cell tumors (n=14), unknown primary cancer (n=7) and other cancers (n=17). PET-I and CGC-I were interpreted independently with knowledge of conventional imaging (CI). In June 2003, theoretical management, e.g. treatment modality/ies and treatment intent (curative or palliative), after CI, PET-I and CGC-I were stated during multidisciplinary sessions and were a posteriori considered as appropriate or inappropriate using pathological and follow-up data. RESULTS: The theoretical management proposed after PET-I and after CGC-I was similar in 112/151 (74%; 95% CI: 66-81%) patients. In 125 assessable patients, theoretical management after PET-I was appropriate in 86% (95% CI: 79-92%), significantly higher (P=0.0033) than after CGC-I (70%; 95% CI: 62-78%). Both proportions were also higher than after CI (46%; 95% CI: 37-56%), (P<0.0001). A similar trend for higher proportions of appropriate management after PET-I than after CGC-I was observed for each tumor localization. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical impact of PET-I is superior to that of CGC-I in a large series of cancer patients. Although CGC-I could be considered as an acceptable alternative, PET-I remains the standard and should preferably equip nuclear medicine departments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Liver resection of hematogenous and infiltrating metastases].

Of a total of 245 resections for hepatic metastases 124 operations were performed for hematogenic metastases and 36 for infiltrating metastases in continuity with the primary tumour. This group of so-called "major hepatic resections" is analysed. The series comprises 83 male and 77 female patients, mean age 62.2 years. There were 85 resections of the right lobe (39 of those with intrahepatic extension to the left), 45 right) and 30 atypical hepatectomies (at least bisegmentectomies). Hematogenic hepatic metastases: 80 resections of hepatic metastases following colorectal carcinoma, 15 following cancer of the stomach and esophagus, 12 after non-gastrointestinal malignant tumours, 4 resections after unknown primary cancer (44% solitary, 32% monolobar multiple, and 24% bilateral metastases); synchronous operations were performed in 32% of the patients, in 19% so-called interval surgery (mean 7.4 weeks), and in 49% metachrone surgery (mean 30 weeks). During 1983 and 1985 our morbidity rate amounted to 10% and the letality rate to 7%, as compared to 17% morbidity and 15% letality in the period 1965-1983. In both periods, septic postoperative complications outnumbered all other causes. The mean survival rate after colorectal carcinoma was 20 months, after non-gastro-intestinal malignant growth 19 months, after carcinoma of the stomach as well as after malignant biliary tract diseases 5 months. The three-year survival rate of colorectal carcinoma amounts to 30%, the five year survival rate to 15% including all metastatic stages. The results of interval and metachrone resections in forms of survival rates are clearly better than the results of synchronous resections with a mean survival time of five months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Gemcitabine and carboplatin in carcinoma of unknown primary site: a phase 2 Adelaide Cancer Trials and Education Collaborative study.

Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) represents up to 5% of all cancer diagnoses and is associated with poor survival. We have performed a prospective multicentre phase 2 trial to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of the combination of gemcitabine (G) and carboplatin (C) for patients with CUP. Patients with histologically confirmed metastatic carcinoma in which the primary site of cancer was not evident after prospectively designated investigation and who had ECOG performance status 0-2 were treated with G 1000 mg m(-2) intravenously (i.v.) days 1 and 8, and C AUC 5 i.v. on day 8 every 3 weeks to a maximum of nine cycles. The primary end points were response rate, and toxicity, with secondary end points of progression-free survival and overall survival. Fifty-one (23 male, 27 female) patients were enrolled (one patient ineligible), with a median age of 69 years (range 41-83 years). Fifty patients were evaluable for toxicity and 46 patients were evaluable for efficacy. The overall response rate to the GC regimen was 30.5%. With a median follow-up of 24 months, the median progression-free survival was 18 weeks (4.2 months) and the median overall survival was 34 weeks (7.8 months). The frequency of grade 3 or 4 toxicity was low. Nausea/vomiting was the most common side effect, but was usually only mild in severity. Uncomplicated neutropenia (14%), thrombocytopenia (10%) and anaemia (8%) were the most common causes of grade 3-4 toxicity. The regimen was very well tolerated, particularly in the elderly. The GC regimen is an active regimen in CUP with excellent tolerability and should be considered particularly for elderly patients with CUP.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Racial differences in ill defined cancer mortality in the United States and in the District of Columbia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the epidemiology of unknown primary cancer mortality in the USA during 1979 to 1988 by age, sex, race, year, and geographical area. DESIGN: National (US) and state data were abstracted for deaths due to ill defined cancer (ICD-9 195.0 to 199.1) and all cancers combined (ICD-9 140.0-209.9). Age adjusted mortality rates were calculated using the 1980 USA population as the standard, and standardised rate ratios were derived. National total cancer incidence data were obtained from the surveillance, epidemiology and end results (SEER) program, and age and sex specific relative (black/white) cancer incidence rates were derived and compared to relative (black/white) mortality rates for ill defined cancer. State and regional median family income levels were obtained from the 1980 census and compared to corresponding mortality rates. SETTING: This study used data for the US population, the 50 states, and the District of Columbia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During 1984-1988, ill defined cancers accounted for an average of 34,921 deaths each year in the USA (13.7 per 100,000 population). The mortality rate due to ill defined cancers is greater among blacks (19.3 per 100,000) than whites (13.2 per 100,000) (RR = 1.5) and has not declined since 1979. There is considerable geographical variation in the ill defined cancer mortality rate. Thus among blacks the highest rates were clustered in the central states (23 per 100,000) and the lowest rates were seen in the mountain and western states (17 per 100,000). The District of Columbia had the highest overall rate (21.7 per 100,000) when compared to all other states. The black/white relative mortality rate due to ill defined cancer was consistently greater than the black/white relative incidence of all cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Ill defined cancer mortality is the fourth leading site of cancer mortality in the USA, and accounts for 7.4% of cancer deaths annually. The large proportion of ill defined cancer deaths may have biased the accuracy of national and local cancer incidence and mortality statistics. The higher mortality of ill defined cancer among blacks is not explained by the higher overall cancer incidence among blacks and suggests the influence of socioeconomic or cultural barriers that may result in underutilisation of health services or substandard health care. Ill defined cancer mortality may be a sentinel indicator of deficiencies in the health care delivery system as well as a measure of progress against cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Strategies in detection of the primary tumour in anti-Yo associated paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.

In patients with anti-Yo associated paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) neurological symptoms precede the diagnosis of the underlying cancer in about 60%. Ovarian carcinoma, breast cancer and other gynaecological malignancies are most frequently found as causative malignancies. Antitumour treatment should be applied in an early stage of disease. The identification of the tumour is a diagnostic challenge in many of these patients. In the first of two patients reported here a pelvic tumour was suggested after detection of a pathological lymph node and elevated tumour markers. The intraoperative findings appeared macroscopically normal during ovariectomy with adnexectomy. Not until microscopic examination of the resected tissue was performed was a tubal adenocarcinoma found. If intrapelvic gynaecological tumours are suspected a deliberate surgical exploration seems to be justified, but only after an intensive diagnostic investigation. To search for the underlying cancer in patients with paraneoplastic neurological disorders successive CT and [18F]-FDG-PET are widely recommended. Instead of this in the second reported patient whole-body dual-modality PET/CT was performed revealing enhanced uptake in three regions of the left thorax. By combining function and anatomy PET/CT was able to localise the lesions and characterise them as lymph node metastases of breast cancer. Diagnosis could be confirmed by subsequently executed needle biopsy. PET/CT seems to be highly applicable in the investigation of paraneoplastic disorders with unknown primary cancer. It may help in guidance of needle biopsy or to optimise the results of deliberate surgery and it provides whole-body tumour staging in a single session with higher diagnostic accuracy than PET alone.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

The evolving role of paclitaxel for patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site.

Patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site represent a very heterogeneous clinicopathologic group. Progress has been made in defining important clinical subsets, and specialized pathologic analysis is essential for the poorly differentiated neoplasms. Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) is a broad-spectrum antineoplastic agent with demonstrated activity in a wide variety of carcinomas. We have combined paclitaxel with carboplatin and oral etoposide for the therapy of patients with unknown primary carcinoma. The overall response rate (47%, with 13% complete responders) compares favorably with any other chemotherapy. Furthermore, the median survival of 13.4 months was notable and encouraging. Toxicity was well-tolerated and no treatment-related deaths occurred. Additional data are needed to more firmly establish the role of paclitaxel for unknown primary cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed2005

Clinical efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusions.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In patients with disseminated neoplastic disease, recurrent pleural effusion is frequently observed. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of pleurodesis by thoracoscopic talc poudrage (TTP) in malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). METHODS: We report a consecutive series of 102 patients (45 women, 57 men; 20 to 83 years of age) who underwent medical thoracoscopy and TTP for recurrent MPE between 1999 and 2001. Thoracoscopy was performed utilizing local anesthesia and IV sedation (medical thoracoscopy). For pleurodesis, an average of 8 g of sterile talc powder was used. One hundred eighty-day follow-up was completed for all patients, and outcome measures included time to recurrence of the effusion and survival. Efficacy was judged by clinical examination, chest radiograph, and/or thoracic ultrasound examination. Procedure-related complications were documented. RESULTS: The most common primary neoplasms were lung cancer (n = 48), breast cancer (n = 16), and malignant pleural mesothelioma (n = 10). Twenty-eight patients had other types of tumors, including renal cell carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, GI tumors, prostate, malignant lymphoma, and unknown primary cancer. At the end of the primary observation period of 180 days, 38 of 46 surviving patients (82.6%) had a successful pleurodesis. Type of primary neoplasm had no significant influence on success rate. The 30-day mortality rate was 16.7% (n = 17). Survival curves after 180 days showed significant differences, with best survival in mesothelioma and shortest life expectancy in lung cancer (p = 0.005). Adverse effects included empyema in one case and malignant invasion of the scar. No episode of talc-induced ARDS was observed. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis is a safe and effective method to stop recurrent MPEs. Lasting pleural symphysis is obtained.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Early cancer cell dissemination and late metastatic relapse: clinical reflections and biological approaches to the dormancy problem in patients.

Two clinical entities, unknown-primary cancer and inadvertent transmission of cancer with organ transplants are reviewed and discussed in the context of early and occult tumor cell dissemination. Both entities are taken as chief witnesses for cell dissemination being an early event in tumor progression. The involuntary transmission of tumor by organ grafts directly supports the notion that very few quiescent cells lodging at improbable sites such as kidney or heart suffice to generate de novo metastatic disease in the organ recipient. As to the nature of the cells and their biological and clinical significance a short review is given on the detection of disseminated cells in bone marrow and their prognostic significance for a metastatic relapse in patients with resected primary tumors. A novel single-cell genomic analysis is described, that allows the detection of multiple chromosomal aberration in single tumor cells.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed1993

Cancer of the male breast presenting as an axillary mass.

The authors describe a 55-year-old man with an axillary mass. Physical examination of the breast was normal, and the patient had not risk factors for cancer of the male breast. A workup for other possible cancers was normal. Excisional biopsy of the mass revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma. The histology favored a primary breast cancer. The patient had a right modified radical mastectomy. The pathologic examination showed infiltrating ductal adenocarcinoma of the breast. Adjuvant therapy included combination chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen. Physicians must be aware of the differential diagnosis of an unknown primary cancer when it presents as an axillary mass.

Axilla↗
PubMed2000

Social and Geographic Predictors of Cancer Survival: a Role for a Population-based Cancer Registry in Cancer Control.

One of the objectives of a cancer registry is to provide survival information on subsections of the population that have unfavorable outcomes. A cancer control strategy can be planned on the basis of such information. In the present study, the data of the Songkhla Cancer Registry were analyzed to determine if social and geographic parameters can be used to predict cancer survival. A total of 3423 cases identified in the population-based cancer registry of Songkhla Province registered during 1990-1994, were the subjects of this study. The rest were excluded because of unknown primary cancer sites. Eight leading primary cancer sites were focused on: oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, colorectum, lung, liver, breast, and cervix uteri. Predictors of survival were derived from items recorded in the registry. Age, gender, extent of disease, cultural belief, life-style, and access to medical care were the predictors of interest. Religion, urban environment, and distance to tertiary care centers were proxies for the last three parameters. Kaplan-Meier plots, Cox regression, and log-rank tests were used for analysis of the hazard ratios. The results revealed a significance of disease extent for survival from oral, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers. Muslim people had poorer survival rates than those of Buddhists for oral, breast, and cervical cancers. Women with breast cancer living in distant from tertiary medical care centers had a poorer prognosis. For the non-aggressive cancers, early detection and pretreatment counseling for the prevention of unnecessary incomplete treatment is recommended for prolonged survival. With aggressive cancers such as lung, liver, and pharyngeal cancers, there were no significant differences with these parameters investigated. Good quality of life provided by palliative care, not prolongation of survival, is the ultimate goal of medical care services to such patients.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Comparison of radionuclide bone scans and magnetic resonance imaging in detecting spinal metastases.

A retrospective comparison was made between 99mTc-MDP bone scans and corresponding spine MR images in 35 patients who had complementary studies within 2 mo. Bone scans were performed with planar imaging of the entire body and MRI was performed with a 1.5 tesla signal scanner using standard techniques with T1- and T2-weighted images. There were 18 male and 17 female patients diagnosed with cancer prior to these studies. Cancer diagnoses included 14 prostate, 12 breast, 1 bladder, 2 renal, 2 lung, 1 each of esophagus, melanoma, myeloma and adenocarcinoma of unknown primary cancer. Of the regions compared, 69 were positive for bony metastases by MRI and 63 regions by bone scans. Thirty-eight regions were concordantly positive and 56 regions concordantly negative. No patients with entirely positive bone scans were negative by MRI, but one patient was entirely positive by MRI but negative by a bone scan. At least one region was discordantly read in 21 patients. Distribution of positive regions was similar on bone scan and MRI. The greatest number and proportion of discordant readings occurred in the lumbar regions and more frequently in patients with prostate cancer. Considering its widespread availability and the ease of performing a whole-body survey for metastasis, radionuclide bone scanning remains the study of choice for initial evaluation of patients with cancer. However, MRI is an excellent complementary technique when bone scan findings are inadequate for answering clinical questions. MRI appears to be quite sensitive and probably more specific for metastasis in certain locations of the spine.

Female↗
PubMed1990

The internist in the management of head and neck cancer.

The general internist has an important role in the management of head and neck squamous cell cancers. This heterogeneous group of cancers must be accurately diagnosed and staged before planning treatment. Curability is directly related to stage at presentation and, because most patients with such cancers present to internists first, these physicians must be familiar with presenting symptoms and must be suspicious enough to refer patients with symptoms for appropriate evaluation. The work-up of patients with suspected unknown primary cancer presenting as adenopathy is detailed, and the physician is cautioned not to immediately proceed to open biopsy. As many as 10% of such primary cancers remain undetected, although, with proper therapy, the 5-year survival rate for squamous cell cancer of the head and neck is 60%. Those patients cured of head and neck cancer still face significant psychosocial and medical problems, including hypothyroidism, xerostomia, and a 20% rate of second primary cancer. Head and neck cancer is highly preventable; 75% of cases are related to tobacco and alcohol use. Smokeless tobacco has gained popularity among young Americans and is associated with an increased incidence of head and neck cancer at several sites. Education is crucial, and internists must seek strategies to stop patients from using tobacco products. Other etiologic factors include industrial carcinogens, Epstein-Barr virus, and diet. Retrospective serologic and dietary recall studies of vitamin A suggest an etiologic role of diet; vitamin A analogs have been tested in preneoplastic lesions. To reduce mortality from head and neck cancers, the general internist must play a central role in prevention and early detection.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1990

Metastatic tumors of the umbilicus: a review 1830-1989.

Umbilical metastases from known and unknown primary cancers are rare. The eponym "Sister Mary Joseph's nodule" has been used by generations of physicians. The first reports of this clinical sign were from Walshe in 1846. A review of the literature revealed 265 cases from then until 1989. Only 85 cases of umbilical metastasis from unknown primary tumors were found. This review should help us to focus on the common and uncommon primary sites in the diagnosis of patients with this finding. A single case report and the work-up for the hidden primary tumor are described.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Positron emission tomography for radiation treatment planning.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of positron emission tomography (PET) on target volume delineation for radiation treatment planning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of the literature concerning the use of PET in target volume delineation are summarized. The following points are discussed for each tumor entity: biological background for the PET investigation, sensitivity and specificity of PET (with different tracers) in comparison to computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and impact of PET on target volume definition. New PET tracers, which could visualize biological pathways, such as hypoxia, proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and gene expression patterns, will also be discussed. RESULTS: The results of clinical studies on the integration of PET in target volume definition for lung, head-and-neck, genitourinary and brain tumors were analyzed. Fluorodeoxyglucose-(FDG-)PET has a significant impact on GTV (gross tumor volume) and PTV (planning target volume) delineation in lung cancer and can detect lymph node involvement and differentiate malignant tissue from atelectasis. In head-and-neck cancer, the value of FDG-PET for radiation treatment planning is still under investigation. For example, FDG-PET could be superior to CT and MRI in the detection of lymph node metastases and unknown primary cancer and in the differentiation of viable tumor tissue after treatment. Therefore, it might play an important role in GTV definition and sparing of normal tissue. Choline PET and acetate PET are promising tracers in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, but their validity in local tumor demarcation, lymph node diagnosis and detection of recurrence has to be defined in future clinical trials. FDG-PET seems to be particularly valuable in lymph node status definition in cervical cancer. In high-grade gliomas and meningiomas, methionine PET helps to define the GTV and differentiate tumor from normal tissue. For other entities like gastrointestinal cancer, lymphomas, sarcomas, etc., the data of the literature are yet insufficient. The imaging of hypoxia, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and gene expression leads to the identification of different areas of a biologically heterogeneous tumor mass that can individually be targeted using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). In addition, a biological dose distribution can be generated, the socalled dose painting. However, systematic experimental and clinical trials are necessary to validate this hypothesis. CONCLUSION: Regarding treatment planning in radiotherapy, PET offers advantages in terms of tumor delineation and the description of biological processes. To define the real impact of this investigation in radiation treatment planning, subsequent experimental, clinical and cost-benefit analyses are required.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

Flexion contractures associated with a malignant neoplasm: 'A paraneoplastic syndrome?'.

A 71-year-old man developed polyarthritis and, subsequently, severe flexion contractures of multiple joints, particularly the joints of the hands. Eighteen months after developing this disease a parailiacal lymph node metastasis of an unknown primary cancer was found. We suggest that this patient's history, dominated by contractures that resembled the 'palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome', should be considered as a paraneoplastic syndrome.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[PET evaluation of glucose metabolism in cancer].

Accelerated glycolysis is one of the biochemical characteristics of cancer cells. Based on this fact, positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has been used in the diagnosis of various cancers. After intravenous injection of FDG and PET scans, most cancers are identified by high FDG accumulation. This metabolic tumor imaging method has been used successfully in the differentiation of benign and malignant tumors, in the diagnosis of metastasis or recurrence, in the detection of primary unknown cancers, and in cancer screening. Because the degree of FDG accumulation reflects tumor glucose consumption, quantification of FDG uptake by PET can be used in predicting biological malignancy and in monitoring treatment in both radiation and chemotherapy. The potential utility of Glut-1 and hexokinase, reported to be responsible for increased glucose metabolism, as biological markers of cancers is yet to be determined.

Cancer Care Facilities↗