The role of tumour biomarkers in choosing the appropriate positron emission tomography imaging in follow‐up of medullary thyroid cancer. Issue 6 (12th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Şahin, Ertan; Elboğa, Umut
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology. Volume 64:Issue 6(2020:Dec.)
• Page Start: 756
• Page End: 761
• Publication Date: 2020-07-12
• Subjects: 18FDG‐PET/CT -- 68Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT -- calcitonin -- CEA -- medullary thyroid cancer; Radiology, Medical -- Periodicals; Radiology, Medical -- Australasia -- Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-9477

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: We aimed to demonstrate the importance of serum calcitonin (Ct) and carcinoembryonic‐antigen (CEA) levels in the selection of appropriate positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) modality in the follow‐up of operated patients with medullary thyroid cancer. Methods: Fourteen operated patients (8 Female, 6 Male) with MTC underwent PET/CT imaging with somatostatin ( 68 Ga‐DOTATATE) and glucose ( 18 FDG) analogs due to elevated Ct or CEA at follow‐up. Ct and CEA levels and both PET/CT findings were compared based on both patients and lesions. Results: Positive findings were found in 10 patients with 68 Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT and in 8 patients with 18 FDG‐PET/CT, and sensitivity was found as 71.4% and 57.1% for both imaging methods, respectively ( P > 0.05). Lesion could be detected with 68 Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT in 3 patients in whom lesion could not be detected with 18 FDG‐PET/CT. In one patient, whereas no pathological lesion was with 68 Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT, lesion could be detected with 18 FDG‐PET/CT in this patient. Of the total 67 lesions, 62 could be shown with 68 Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT, while 48 lesions could be detected with 18 FDG‐PET/CT ( P < 0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between Ct level and the number of lesions detected on the 68 Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT, and similarly between CEA level and the number of lesions detected on the 18 FDG‐PET/CT. Conclusions: It was found that 68 Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT is superior over 18 FDG‐PET/CT method in detection of recurrent disease in the follow‐up of MTC, and serum Ct and CEA levels are important biomarkers in the selection of appropriate PET/CT modality.