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Hepatic scintigraphic changes associated with gestational trophoblastic disease
E H Sumers1, R S Berkowitz, A M Wang
1Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Radionuclide liver imaging in patients with gestational trophoblastic tumors often shows diffuse abnormalities. These findings do not indicate cancer spread and may be due to treatment effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTTs) require accurate staging to guide treatment.
- Liver metastases are a significant concern in advanced GTTs.
- Radionuclide liver imaging is used to detect hepatic involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the significance of abnormal radionuclide liver scans in patients with persistent GTTs.
- To determine if diffuse liver scan abnormalities represent metastases or treatment effects.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of radionuclide liver imaging in 70 patients with persistent GTTs.
- Correlation of imaging findings with clinical data and diagnosis of hepatic malignancy.
Main Results:
- 58 out of 70 patients (83%) exhibited abnormal liver scans.
- These abnormalities were diffuse, without focal defects suggestive of malignancy.
- No discernible hepatic malignancy was confirmed in patients with diffuse abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Diffusely abnormal liver scans in GTT patients are common.
- These findings likely represent effects of chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.
- Abnormal liver scans should not be automatically interpreted as indicative of liver metastases in this context.