[The value of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose in positron emission tomography diagnosis of breast carcinoma]. / Wertigkeit der F-18-Fluorodeoxy-Glukose-Positronenemissionstomographie-Diagnostik beim Mammakarzinom.

Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (F-18-FDG-PET) has become an important issue in the diagnosis of malignant tumors within the last years. In breast cancer PET has been established in the diagnosis of the primary tumor as well as in recurrences with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 75%-100%; additional a sensitivity of more than 90% and a specificity of about 75% is also seen in axillary lymph nodes detection. With our own results we were able to prove sensitivity of positron emission tomography in diagnosing the primary lesion, locoregional lymph nodes and the staging of metastases. Furthermore, positron emission tomography seems to be superior to conventional imaging modalities in staging primary and recurrent breast cancer, distant metastases and lymph nodes outside the axilla.

[18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in colorectal cancer: value in primary staging and follow-up]. / 18F-Fluorodeoxyglukose-Positronenemissionstomographie beim kolorektalen Karzinom: Wertigkeit in Primärstaging und Follow-up.

Positron emission tomography using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) is a encouraging imaging technique allowing a highly sensitive whole-body search for malignant foci detected by their increased glucose metabolism compared with benign tissues. Several studies are now available that indicate its added value for diagnosis and staging of colorectal cancer. In all, patient management seems to be changed in 20-30% of patients who undergo Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in addition to standard staging procedures. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is also useful in monitoring radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Regarding preoperative staging of primary colorectal cancer the literature is very limited.