Does a new or increasing contrast enhancement on T1 MRI represent a consequence of treatment or progressive/recurrent tumor? This common clinical dilemma can be resolved by amino acid PET with good diagnostic accuracy.

Graphical Abstract. Does a new or increasing contrast enhancement on T1 MRI represent a consequence of treatment or progressive/recurrent tumor? This common clinical dilemma can be resolved by amino acid PET with good diagnostic accuracy. 


May 12, 2023 — A newly published meta-analysis indicates that amino acid PET can accurately differentiate recurrent or progressive brain metastases from treatment-related changes. A specificity of 84 percent suggests that it may reduce the number of invasive procedures and overtreatment in patients who in fact experience treatment-related changes. This research was published in the May issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine

Brain metastases occur in 20 to 40 percent of all cancer patients and are most likely to occur in those with lung, breast and renal cancer, melanoma, and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Management of patients with brain metastases usually includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Some patients develop treatment-related changes such as radiation necrosis or pseudoprogression. 

“A differentiation between recurrent or progressive brain metastases and treatment-related changes is challenging,” said Igor Yakushev, senior physician in the department of nuclear medicine at Technical University of Munich in Germany. “As the management of patients with recurrent or progressive brain metastases and treatment-related changes is fairly different, accurate and early differential diagnosis is essential.” 

The meta-analysis included 12 studies with amino acid PET radiotracers. The studies included a total of 397 patients with 547 lesions. Overall, 269 lesions (49 percent) were found to be recurrent or progressive brain metastases. Using a histologic examination and/or radiological and clinical follow-up as reference, pooled sensitivity and specificity of amino acid PET were found to be 82 and 84 percent respectively. 

“This study provides IIa class evidence on diagnostic utility of amino acid PET in the differential diagnosis of recurrent or progressive brain metastases,” stated Yakushev. “These findings are in line with an increasing role of molecular imaging in the management of patients with brain tumors, yet the results also point to potential for further improvement of diagnostic accuracy.” 

For more information: www.snmmi.org 


Related Content

News | Radiopharmaceuticals and Tracers

May 30, 2023 — Blue Earth Diagnostics, a Bracco company and recognized leader in the development and commercialization ...

Time May 30, 2023
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

May 25, 2023 — GE HealthCare, a leader in breast cancer care technology and diagnostics, has today announced that NCCN ...

Time May 25, 2023
arrow
News | Radiation Oncology

May 22, 2023 — Physicians and scientists from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center will discuss the latest ...

Time May 22, 2023
arrow
News | PET Imaging

May 22, 2023 — New research finds that the brains of otherwise healthy military personnel who are exposed to explosions ...

Time May 22, 2023
arrow
News | Radiation Oncology

May 16, 2023 — The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) today expressed its strong support for President ...

Time May 16, 2023
arrow
News | Contrast Media

May 16, 2023 — Bracco Imaging, an innovative world leader delivering end-to-end products and solutions through a ...

Time May 16, 2023
arrow
News | Contrast Media

May 15, 2023 — Guerbet, a global leader in medical imaging with more than 30 years of experience in MRI, announced that ...

Time May 15, 2023
arrow
News | Prostate Cancer

May 2, 2023 — Blue Earth Diagnostics, a Bracco company and recognized leader in the development and commercialization of ...

Time May 02, 2023
arrow
News | Radiation Therapy

May 1, 2023 — Prelude Corporation (PreludeDx), a leader in molecular diagnostics and precision medicine for early-stage ...

Time May 01, 2023
arrow
News | PET Imaging

April 28, 2023 — GE HealthCare to deliver two Cyclotrons next year, expanding South Africa’s capacity to produce ...

Time April 28, 2023
arrow
Subscribe Now