18F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of male breast cancer: a systematic review. Issue 2 (15th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dondi, Francesco; Albano, Domenico; Giubbini, Raffaele; Bertagna, Francesco
• Is Part Of: Nuclear medicine communications. Volume 43:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2021-11-15
• Subjects: breast cancer -- 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose -- male breast cancer -- PET -- PET/computed tomography; Nuclear medicine -- Periodicals; 616.07575
• DOI: 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-3636

Abstract

Abstract : Background: In the last years, some studies on the usefulness of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) for the evaluation of male breast cancer (MBC) have been produced. The aim of this review is to analyze the usefulness of 18 F-FDG PET/CT and its diagnostic performances for the assessment of MBC. Methods: A wide literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane library databases was made to find relevant published articles on the role of 18 F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of MBC. Moreover, quality assessment including the risk of bias and applicability concerns was carried out using QUADAS-2 evaluation. Results: The comprehensive computer literature search revealed 3178 articles. On reviewing the titles and abstracts, 3170 articles were excluded because the reported data were not within the field of interest and finally eight studies were included in the review, for a total of 176 male patients. The studies considered revealed high diagnostic accuracy of 18 F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of MBC both at staging and restaging of disease. Moreover, its added values compared to conventional imaging are starting to emerge and insight into its controversial prognostic importance is growing. Conclusion: Despite some limitations affecting our review, 18 F-FDG PET/CT seems to be a valuable tool to assess MBC. Further research studies are required to better underline the role of hybrid imaging with 18 F-FDG for the evaluation of MBC, especially in comparison with female breast cancer.