18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission/computed tomography for occult cancer among patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism: What do we know?

Thromb Res. 2022 May:213 Suppl 1:S42-S45. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2022.01.018. Epub 2022 May 26.

Abstract

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission/Computed Tomography (FDG PET/CT) is a non-invasive whole-body imaging modality that has the potential for replacing multiple cancer screening tests by one. Previous studies showed that FDG PET/CT has an excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value for occult cancer screening in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this patient population, FDG PET/CT is a reproducible imaging procedure with a kappa value estimated at 0.75. Although false positive results may lead to unnecessary investigations, it seems from recent evidence that invasive procedures triggered by a positive scan often resulted in cancer diagnosis. Trials assessing use of FDG PET/CT for occult cancer screening in patients with VTE at high risk for occult cancer diagnosis are ongoing.

Keywords: Occult cancer; PET CT; Venous thrombosis.

MeSH terms

  • Electrons
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary* / complications
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary* / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Venous Thromboembolism* / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18