Additional value of F-FDG PET/CT response evaluation in axillary nodes during neoadjuvant therapy for triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer.

Background: F-FDG PET/CT can monitor metabolic activity in early breast cancer during neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST), but it is unknown if the metabolic breast and axillary response differ. We evaluated the correlation between metabolic breast and axillary response at various time points during NST. Furthermore, we analysed if the combined metabolic response improves pathologic complete response (pCR) prediction compared to using the metabolic breast response alone.

Monitoring tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer subtypes.

Purpose: To explore guidelines on the use of MRI and PET/CT monitoring primary tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), taking breast cancer subtype into account.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 188 women were included with stages II and III breast cancer. MRI and 18F-FDG-PET/CT were acquired before and during NAC.

Survival is associated with complete response on MRI after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ER-positive HER2-negative breast cancer.

Background: Pathological complete remission (pCR) of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer is rarely achieved after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). In addition, the prognostic value of pCR for this breast cancer subtype is limited. We explored whether response evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with recurrence-free survival after NAC in ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.

Combined use of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI for response monitoring of breast cancer during neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: To explore the potential complementary value of PET/CT and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in predicting pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) of breast cancer and the dependency on breast cancer subtype.

Methods: We performed (18)F-FDG PET/CT and MRI examinations before and during NAC. The imaging features evaluated on both examinations included baseline and changes in (18)F-FDG maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on PET/CT, and tumour morphology and contrast uptake kinetics on MRI.

Avoiding preoperative breast MRI when conventional imaging is sufficient to stage patients eligible for breast conserving therapy.

Aim: To determine when preoperative breast MRI will not be more informative than available breast imaging and can be omitted in patients eligible for breast conserving therapy (BCT).

Methods: We performed an MRI in 685 consecutive patients with 692 invasive breast tumors and eligible for BCT based on conventional imaging and clinical examination. We explored associations between patient, tumor, and conventional imaging characteristics and similarity with MRI findings.

Sequential (18)F-FDG PET/CT for early prediction of complete pathological response in breast and axilla during neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the value of response monitoring in both the primary tumour and axillary nodes on sequential PET/CT scans during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for predicting complete pathological response (pCR), taking the breast cancer subtype into account.

Methods: In 107 consecutive patients 290 PET/CT scans were performed at baseline (PET/CT1, 107 patients), after 2 - 3 weeks of chemotherapy (PET/CT2, 85 patients), and after 6 - 8 weeks (PET/CT3, 98 patients). The relative changes in SUVmax (from baseline) of the tumour and the lymph nodes and in both combined (after logistic regression), and the changes in the highest SUVmax between scans (either tumour or lymph node) were determined and their associations with pCR of the tumour and lymph nodes after completion of NAC were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

FDG PET/CT during neoadjuvant chemotherapy may predict response in ER-positive/HER2-negative and triple negative, but not in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Background: Response monitoring with MRI during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer is promising, but knowledge of breast cancer subtype is essential. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relevance of breast cancer subtypes for monitoring of therapy response during NAC with 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Methods: Evaluation included 98 women with stages II and III breast cancer.

Pre-treatment imaging and pathology characteristics of invasive breast cancers of limited extent: potential relevance for MRI-guided localized therapy.

Background And Purpose: Identifying breast cancers of limited extent (BCLE) is becoming increasingly important, especially for (image guided) minimally invasive therapy and partial breast irradiation. The purpose of this study is to establish characteristics at functional imaging and pathology associated with invasive BCLE.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-five patients (77 breasts) with invasive breast cancer were prospectively included.

Radioactive seed localization of breast lesions: an adequate localization method without seed migration.

Preoperative localization is important to optimize the surgical treatment of breast lesions, especially in nonpalpable lesions. Radioactive seed localization (RSL) using iodine-125 is a relatively new approach. To provide accurate guidance to surgery, it is important that the seeds do not migrate after placement.

A practical approach to manage additional lesions at preoperative breast MRI in patients eligible for breast conserving therapy: results.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of directives, established to handle additional lesions at preoperative contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Six-hundred-and-ninety consecutive patients with pathology-proven breast cancer planned for BCT based on clinical examination and conventional imaging underwent preoperative breast MRI. The incidence of additional lesions detected at MRI and impact on management were evaluated.

Acute esophageal toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer patients after high dose conformal radiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: To correlate acute esophageal toxicity with dosimetric and clinical parameters for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) alone or with chemo-radiotherapy (CRT).

Patients And Methods: We analyzed the data of 156 patients with medically inoperable or locally advanced NSCLC. Seventy-four patients were irradiated with high dose RT only, 45 patients with sequential CRT (Gemicitabine/Cisplatin) and 37 patients with concurrent CRT (Cisplatin daily 6 mg/m(2)).