Positron emission tomography helps to diagnose tumor emboli and residual disease in choriocarcinoma

Abstract

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown capable of identifying malignant tissues. Patients and methods: WB-PET imaging in two women with metastatic choriocarcinoma is described. Results: In a woman with tumor emboli secondary to a choriocarcinoma, WE-PET was the only noninvasive investigation to differentiate between tumor and blood clots. Moreover, PET helped to localize residual tumor tissue in another woman with persisting high β-HCG serum levels after chemotherapy. Conclusions: WE-PET helps to localize tumor tissue in patients suffering from choriocarcinoma.