Beyond CT: A Case Analysis of Serial [18F]FDG PET/CT for Assessment of Necrosis and Early Recurrence in Colorectal Liver Metastases

Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy, with the liver being the most frequent site of metastases. [ F] Fluorodeoxyglucose ([ F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has emerged as a valuable tool in detecting and evaluating liver metastases and extrahepatic disease. Herei...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2023-12, Vol.15 (12), p.e51393
Main Authors: Al-Ibraheem, Akram, Ruzzeh, Saad, Badarneh, Mohannad, Al-Adhami, Dhuha, Telfah, Ahmad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antigens
Cancer therapies
Case reports
Chemotherapy
Colorectal cancer
Immunotherapy
Liver
Lymphatic system
Medical imaging
Metabolism
Metastasis
Nuclear Medicine
Patients
Tomography
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy, with the liver being the most frequent site of metastases. [ F] Fluorodeoxyglucose ([ F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has emerged as a valuable tool in detecting and evaluating liver metastases and extrahepatic disease. Herein, we present a case of a 76-year-old male with colorectal cancer associated with lung and liver metastases. The patient received 12 chemoimmunotherapy cycles and was then put on maintenance cetuximab; serial [ F]FDG PET/CT scans were utilized to evaluate treatment response. The patient exhibited a positive response to chemoimmunotherapy, with regression of rectal disease and resolution of pulmonary metastatic nodules. Serial [ F]FDG PET/CT scans unveiled three distinct necrotic patterns. The case report advocates that [ F]FDG PET/CT plays an important role in evaluating colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) response to treatment, identifying transient necrosis, early recurrence, and emphasizing the limitations of post-treatment CT scans in identifying early CRLM recurrence. Integrating functional imaging, particularly [ F]FDG PET/CT, promises for management monitoring and surveillance of CRLM patients.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.51393