Using Carbon-11-Methionine and PET to Evaluate Breast Cancer Treatment Response
Author Information
Author(s): R. Huovinen, S. Leskinen-Kallio, K. Nagren, P. Lehikoinen, U. Ruotsalainen, M. Teris
Primary Institution: Turku University Central Hospital
Hypothesis
Can the uptake of Carbon-11-methionine in breast cancer metastases predict treatment response?
Conclusion
The study found that changes in Carbon-11-methionine uptake can indicate treatment response in breast cancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- The uptake of Carbon-11-methionine decreased in cases where clinical stability or regression was observed.
- Four out of five patients with progressive disease showed an increase in Carbon-11-methionine uptake.
- The study demonstrated a good correlation between the uptake rate and the standardised uptake value.
Takeaway
Doctors can use a special scan to see how well breast cancer treatment is working by looking at how much of a certain substance the cancer takes in.
Methodology
Eight patients with breast cancer metastases underwent PET scans before and after treatment to measure Carbon-11-methionine uptake.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and only included patients with soft tissue metastases.
Participant Demographics
Patients included five with supraclavicular or axillary lymph node metastases, two with pleural, and one with pulmonary metastases.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website