The Role of 18F-FDG-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Staging Primary Breast Cancer

Abstract

Despite Medicare approving the use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in staging primary breast cancer, little evidence is available to support the use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for the detection of distant metastases in the initial staging of breast cancer. In this review of the literature listed in MEDLINE, we examine whether 18F-FDG-PET/CT may play a role in the initial staging of breast cancer. We discuss studies comparing PET/CT with conventional imaging for diagnosing distant metastases and axillary and extra-axillary lymph node metastases.