Positron emission tomography in patients with breast cancer using 18F-3′-deoxy-3′-fluoro-l-thymidine (18F-FLT)—a pilot study

Background This pilot study investigated the feasibility of 18F-3′-deoxy-3′-fluoro-l-thymidine (18F-FLT) as a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the visualisation of breast cancer. Methods Patients with breast cancer underwent 18F-FLT-PET prior to surgery. The uptake of 18F-FLT was determined in the primary tumour and in the axilla. Results Eight tumours were visualized by 18F-FLT-PET with a mean uptake value (SUVmean) of 1.7 and mean tumour–non-tumour ratio (TNT) of 5.0. In seven patients, axillary lymph-node metastases were found at pathological examinations, however, 18F-FLT-PET showed uptake in only two large (and clinically evident) lymph-node metastases. Conclusions 18F-FLT shows uptake in most primary breast tumours and in large axillary lymph-node metastases.