A rare presentation of metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma to the tongue seen on FDG PET.

Renal clear cell carcinoma has a great metastatic potential, with possibly uncommon secondary lesions, notably in the head and neck region. The role of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18 FDG PET) in the staging or follow-up of urological malignancies is still not clearly defined. We report a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma involving the tongue and a cervical lymph node, 3 years after initial nephrectomy. The use of combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan showed increased F-18 FDG activity in these 2 lesions that were then diagnosed and treated by surgery. Although the diagnostic performance of F-18 FDG PET is limited in the detection of primary disease, this imaging modality can be a very useful tool in the follow-up of renal clear cell carcinoma.

[Understanding positon emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-FDG in clinical oncology. Informations dedicated to patients and relatives]. / Comprendre la tomographie par émission de positons au [ 18F]-FDG en cancérologie. Information à l'usage des personnes malades et de leurs proches.

In response to the evolution of the information-seeking behaviour of patients and concerns from health professionals regarding cancer patient information, the French National Federation of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (FNCLCC) introduced, in 1998, an information and education program dedicated to patients and relatives, the SOR SAVOIR PATIENT program (SSP). The methodology of this program adheres to established quality criteria regarding the elaboration of patient information. Cancer patient information, developed in this program, is based on clinical practice guidelines produced by the FNCLCC and the twenty French regional cancer centres, the National League against Cancer, the French Hospital Federation, the National Oncology Federation of Regional and University Hospitals, the French Oncology Federation of General Hospitals, many learned societies, as well as an active participation of patients, former patients and caregivers. The guidelines, "Standards, Options: Recommendations" (SOR) are used as primary information sources. The handbook SOR SAVOIR PATIENT Understanding positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-FDG in clinical oncology, integrally published in this issue of the Bulletin du Cancer, is an adapted version of the clinical practice guidelines (CPG) Standards, Options and Recommendations for positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-FDG in clinical oncology. The main objectives of this article are to allow persons affected by cancer and their close relatives to better understand this medical imaging technique and its implementation. This document also offers health professionals a synthetic evidence-based patient information source that should help them communicate that information during the physician-patient encounter. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a scintigraphy technique using a radiotracer, [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (abbreviated [18F]-FDG), administered intravenously into the patient's arm. This tracer, similar to glucose (sugar), binds to cancer cells and temporarily emits radiations that can be recorded by a special camera in the PET scanner. PET scanning can be used to obtain complementary information at different stages of the disease, whether for assessing diagnosis, treatment evolution or follow-up. By 2007, in the framework of the government plan against cancer, about seventy-five PET scanners are expected to be installed in France. Twenty-four are currently in use; a similar number is under installation. At the end of this process, all French regions should have at least one PET imaging equipment. The SOR SAVOIR PATIENT guide: Understanding positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-FDG in clinical oncology and the integral report of CPG SOR 2003: Standards, Options and Recommendations for positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-FDG in clinical oncology can be downloaded from the FNCLCC website: http:\\www.fnclcc.fr.