Correlation of Nodal and Distant Metastasis with Primary Breast Tumor Size on Pre‑Therapy CT Imaging

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between the size of the main tumor and the nodal and distant metastases on FDG PET/CT imaging before therapy is not well understood in Pakistan. By offering insight into the early stages of cancer progression, the study's findings will be helpful in creating a treatment plan and enhancing overall patient outcomes. Methodology: 470 patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer between the ages of 25 and 80 who were referred for 18FDG PET/CT imaging for initial staging were included. Patients with carcinoma in situ (with or without microinvasion), those who had previously undergone chemotherapy, and those who had previously undergone radiotherapy were not included. 18FDG PET/CT was carried out in accordance with the institutional procedure that was adapted from the EANM standards. Before taking an intravenous dosage, all patients had to fast for four to six hours. They could only drink plain water. Patients were encouraged to lie down comfortably and drink 500 to 1,000 milliliters of ordinary water during the 55.75-minute uptake time. We employed PET scans to find the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of the original tumor, the lymph nodes, and the distant metastases. Results: The ipsilateral nodal metastasis had the strongest positive linear connection, followed by the visceral and extra-axillary nodal metastases. There was no significant link between the size of the initial tumor and the skeletal metastases. Conclusion: We discovered a linear relationship between the size of the initial tumor and the presence of visceral and nodal metastases, supporting the traditional linear model.