Detection of a metastatic lesion and tiny yolk sac tumors in two teenage patients by FDG-PET: report of two cases

Surg Today. 2014 Oct;44(10):1962-5. doi: 10.1007/s00595-013-0656-8. Epub 2013 Jun 26.

Abstract

We herein report the efficacy of FDG-PET for detecting yolk sac tumors in two teenage patients. One patient had a rare bone metastasis and the other had tiny recurrent lesions at the mediastinum. Both lesions were difficult to detect by conventional diagnostic modalities. In contrast, FDG-PET was very effective for detecting these lesions. Furthermore, the SUVmax of the lesion reflected the tumor activity, which was also suggested by the fluctuating values of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), an established marker of yolk sac tumors. FDG-PET may be a useful procedure to detect tiny and metastatic, pediatric yolk sac tumors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Endodermal Sinus Tumor / diagnostic imaging*
  • Endodermal Sinus Tumor / secondary*
  • Female
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • alpha-Fetoproteins

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • alpha-Fetoproteins
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18