Detection of locoregional and distant recurrences in breast cancer patients by using FDG PET.

Cases of recurrence of breast cancer can pose considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for the oncologic team. The prognosis and management decisions are based on knowledge of the true extent of disease. Conventional staging methods, including physical examination, assessment of levels of tumor markers, cross-sectional imaging, and bone scintigraphy, may not reliably demonstrate the extent of disease in all cases.