The Complementary Role of PET to Pathology in Differentiating the Primary Origin of a Malignant Skin Nodule from Liver or Lung
10.1007/s13139-022-00777-z
- Author:
Ivan HO
1
;
Sirong CHEN
;
Yu YIP
;
Chi Lai HO
Author Information
1. Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Publication Type:CASE REPORT
- From:Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
2023;57(1):38-43
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Metastasis from unknown primary is always a challenge because finding the true primary tumor significantly affects subsequent management. We present a case of malignant abdominal wall nodule initially diagnosed as metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma through excisional biopsy and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Dual-tracer positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 11 C-acetate and 18 F-FDG, however, showed metabolic findings in favor of metastasis from lung origin, which was finally confirmed by ensuing a lung biopsy with additional IHC stains. This case illustrates the complementary molecular role of PET to pathology, particularly when dual-tracer or multi-tracer PET is used in conjunction with pathology methods for cross referencing and confirmation.
