J Nucl Med. 2008; 49 (Supplement 1):250P
General Clinical Specialties: General Practice-OncologyGeneral Practice-Oncology Posters |
18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection of extrahepatic metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma
Hojin Cho1,
Arthur Cho1,
Taesung Kim1,
Wonjun Kang1,
Jongdoo Lee1 and
Mijin Yun1
1 Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
1072
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of PET/CT using 18F-FDG in patients with HCC in detecting extrahepatic metastases.
Methods: A total of 53 patients were enrolled. Images of FDG PET and CT were visually analyzed and the degree of FDG uptake in primary tumors was visually classified as group I (FDG uptake less than or equal to that of the liver), and group II (FDG uptake higher than that of the liver). The presence of extrahepatic metastases was evaluated according to the degree of FDG uptake in primary tumors. Confirmation of the findings on PET/CT was based on histopathology(n=14) or radiologic follow-up(n=39).
Results: In a total of 53 patients, 16 patients were classified as group I, and 37 patients as group II. In group I, 2 patients were diagnosed as having extrahepatic metastases. One had lymph node metastases and the other had bone metastases. FDG uptake in those lesions was noticeable only after they were found on CT. In group II, 18 patients were diagnosed as having extrahepatic metastases. Eight patients had metastasis in the lung, 8 in lymph node, 2 in bone, and 2 in the adrenal gland. Sixteen of 18 patients showed increased FDG uptake in extrahepatic metastases and 2 patients showed no definite increased uptake. One of the 2 patients had lung metastasis and the other had peritoneal seedings, and all were diagnosed only on CT scan. There was a statistically significant difference in frequency of extrahepatic metastases between HCCs with high FDG uptake and HCCs with low FDG uptake (p=0.015).
Conclusions: HCCs with higher FDG uptake have a higher tendency for extrahepatic metastases than those with lower FDG uptake. The degree of FDG uptake seems to be an important factor predicting aggressive tumor biology in HCCs. CT scan of PET/CT is useful in detecting those lesions missed on PET.
