A small breast cancer detected by PET

A small breast cancer was detected by positron emission tomography (PET) in an asymptomatic individual. Physical examination, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging all failed to identify the tumor. Treatment was partial resection of the breast. Based on the resected specimen, the tumor was 6 mm in diameter. Although previous studies have shown PET to be highly sensitive for the detection of primary breast cancer, detectability of tumors smaller than 1 cm is uncertain. Our case suggests the potential utility of PET for the early detection of primary breast cancer.