ISSN:
1573-7217
Keywords:
axillary lymphnode metastasis
;
breast cancer
;
111In-pentetreotide
;
receptor autoradiography
;
somatostatin receptors
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract We conducted a prospective analysis of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy using 111In radiolabeled pentetreotide, a somatostatin analog, in patients with breast cancer in the aim to visualize the primary tumor and axillary or parasternal metastatic extension because some malignant breast tumors express somatostatin receptors (SS-R) in 50%, approximately. An analysis of SS-R was performed by autoradiography. Patients and methods.Thirteen patients with clinically suspected breast tumors (T1, T2), and at least one palpable axillary node (N1) were included. In vivo planar scintigrams were acquired 1, 4, and 24 h after subcutaneous, then after intravenous injections (24 h delay between injections). Improved 111In-pentetreotide uptake in invaded nodes after subcutaneous injection was hypothesized. Ex vivo scintigrams of surgical specimens were also acquired immediately after tumor resection and axillary dissection. Pathological examination and receptor autoradiography were performed on all surgical specimens. Results.Among 11 pathologically proven malignant tumors (9 ductal and 2 lobular carcinomas), only four were scintigraphically visible although six expressed SS-R receptors in vitro. Among six pathologically proven malignant nodes, four expressed SS-R, including two visualized scintigraphically. Scintigrams acquired after subcutaneous injections were less sensitive than after intravenous injections. There were no false positive. False negatives occurred in cases with small tumors with low-density or heterogeneously distributed SS-R. There was no significant difference by histological type or prognostic factors. Conclusion.Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy does not appear to be sensitive enough to evaluate axillary node extension of breast cancer or even to confirm the presence of tumoral tissue, and this whatever the administration route for 111In-pentetreotide.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006447325077
