Fluoro-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography scans in a patient with penile...

In patients with penile cancer, positron emission tomography (PET) is important for identifying metastatic lesions and for therapeutic strategy planning. By using PET/computerised tomography -CT scanning, more precise localization and attenuation correction is provided by CT as an additional advantage for diagnosis. A 78-year-old man with squamous cell cancer of the glans penis diagnosed after histopathological examination was referred to our Nuclear Medicine Department PET/CT unit by the Urology Department of our Hospital, for investigation of metastases and for therapeutic strategy planning. There was significantly increased focal fluoro-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) activity (SUV: 18.2) in the glans penile area and slightly increased activity in the right inguinal region which was described as inflammation by the histopathological examination. There was no other increased abnormal 18F-FDG activity. 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT may be used in squamous cell cancer of the penis for the detection of metastases and for therapeutic strategy planning. Finally, invasive procedures such as total bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy, having a high morbidity, may be avoided.