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Abstract
We introduce two cases in which positron emission tomography (PET)/CT delineated viable malignant tissue from nonmalignant areas and guided us to successful biopsies when conventional CT failed to do so. According to our experience, PET/CT appears to be helpful in deciding the adequate site for biopsy in patients with lung cancer, owing to its capability to delineate malignant from nonmalignant areas, and also to reflect the areas with the most aggressive behaviors, especially in the era of the personalized cancer therapy.
Figures and Tables
Fig. 1
A 53-year-old man with pleomorphic carcinoma.
A. Axial CT scan shows a homogeneously enhancing mass in the superior segment of the right lower lobe with right pleural effusion.
B. Photomicrograph from the first biopsy shows a core of fibrotic lung with necrosis (H&E, × 10).
C. PET-CT scan shows metabolic uptake, not in the entire tumor, but in deeper areas.
D. Photomicrograph from the rebiopsy shows malignant spindle cell tumor (H&E, × 40).
Note.-PET = positron emission tomography
Fig. 2
A 44-year-old woman with adenocarcinoma.
A, B. Axial CT scans show multiple nodules with similar enhancements, including the largest one in the left upper lobe.
C. Photomicrograph from the first biopsy targeting the largest one of the left upper lobe shows only atypical columnar cells (H&E, × 40).
D, E. On the PET-CT scans, the lesion on the left upper lobes shows mild uptake; whereas the lesion in the left lower lobe shows strong uptake.
F. Photomicrograph from the rebiopsy targeting the lesion in the left lower lobe shows papillary adenocarcinoma with fibrovascular cores surrounded by malignant cells (H&E, × 40).
Note.-PET = positron emission tomography
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