Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women worldwide. Although early detection and treatment have shown significant improvement in the survival rates of breast cancer patients, metastatic breast cancer still contributes to a significant number of cancer-related deaths. Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) are two imaging techniques widely used to detect metastatic breast cancer. However, recent studies suggest that PET offers superior results compared to CT in women with metastatic breast cancer. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind PET’s superiority and how it can improve the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study suggests that F-18 FDG-PET/CT imaging may be more effective at predicting the progression-free survival and disease-specific survival of women with metastatic breast cancer than conventional contrast-enhanced CT (CE-CT). The study, conducted by researchers at Odense University in Denmark, analyzed data on 87 women who underwent simultaneous F-18 FDG-PET/CT and CE-CT imaging to diagnose metastatic breast cancer. Patients received endocrine therapy with or without cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor as first-line therapy, and the majority had bone metastases. Follow-up scans showed that tumor response was more accurately identified in patients by F-18 FDG-PET/CT than CE-CT, and tumor response on F-18 FDG-PET/CT scans was significantly associated with progression-free and disease-specific survival. The authors noted that increasing the use of F-18 FDG-PET/CT in these cases could ultimately improve care for patients by improving clinical decision-making, optimizing the timing of treatment alterations, and avoiding treating patients with ineffective, toxic, and expensive treatments. The study’s strengths include its prospective design and the fact that patients served as their own controls, allowing for a unique opportunity to compare scan results within the same patients. However, the single-center observational design of the study limits its generalizability, and further multi-center randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate improvements in quality of life.
In conclusion, PET scanning has proven to be a more effective and accurate option when it comes to detecting metastatic breast cancer in women. It helps doctors to detect cancer much earlier than other scanning techniques, thereby increasing the chances of a successful treatment plan. While CT scanning remains important in some cases, PET is an important and superior tool in the fight against breast cancer. Early detection is key, and PET scanning can provide insight into the spread of cancer cells in real-time, giving doctors the information they need to provide the most successful course of treatment. Hopefully, increased awareness of this technology will lead to more women receiving the benefits of PET scanning for a better quality of life.
