Published in:
01-06-2004
Measuring response to chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer: methodological considerations
Authors:
Nanda C. Krak, Otto S. Hoekstra, Adriaan A. Lammertsma
Published in:
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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Special Issue 1/2004
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Abstract
In this review the findings of response monitoring studies in breast cancer, using [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET), are summarised. These studies indicate that there is a strong relationship between response and decrease in FDG signal even at an early stage of therapy. The review concentrates on methodological aspects of monitoring response with FDG: timing of serial scans, approach to region of interest definition, method of quantification and pitfalls of FDG. It is argued that, for clinical applications, there is now a need to standardise methodology. This would be necessary to establish firm cut-off values for discriminating responders from non-responders, which in turn would provide a means for providing optimal treatment for as many patients as possible.