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Increased (18)F-fluoroestradiol uptake in radiation pneumonia
Zhongyi Yang1, Yifei Sun, Zhifeng Yao
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China.
Annals of Nuclear Medicine
|August 17, 2013
Summary
18F-fluoroestradiol (FES) PET scans can show false positives in radiation-induced pneumonia for metastatic breast cancer patients. This highlights the need for careful interpretation to avoid incorrect endocrine therapy decisions.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Estrogen receptor (ER) status is crucial for guiding endocrine therapy in metastatic breast cancer.
- 18F-fluoroestradiol (FES) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is used to assess ER status in metastatic lesions.
Observation:
- A patient with metastatic breast cancer, previously treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, underwent an 18F-FES PET scan.
- High accumulation of 18F-FES was observed in lung lesions consistent with radiation-induced pneumonia.
Findings:
- The study identified a potential false-positive finding of 18F-FES uptake in radiation-induced pneumonia.
- This highlights a limitation of 18F-FES in accurately determining ER status in post-radiation lung tissue.
Implications:
- False-positive 18F-FES results can lead to inappropriate or unnecessary endocrine therapy for breast cancer patients.
- Oncologists must consider treatment history, particularly radiation therapy, when interpreting 18F-FES PET scans.
- Further research is needed to refine the interpretation of 18F-FES in patients with prior radiation exposure.
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