18F-FDG PET/CT in lymphangiosarcoma: A case report and review of literature

Articles in Press

Document Type : Case report

Author

Department of Nuclear medicine Dr Rajendra Prasad government medical college

10.22038/aojnmb.2024.77689.1548

Abstract

Background: Lymphangiosarcoma is a rare tumor which affects upper limbs of patients who have had undergone breast cancer surgery, including axillary dissection followed by radiation therapy (RT) to the axilla and has a poor prognosis. FDG PET/CT may enable earlier detection of malignant transformation in setting of chronic lymphedema, and help in evaluating the extent and staging of tumor, allowing earlier initiation of treatment options.

Case presentation: We herein report a case of lymphangiosarcoma, in a 47-year-old breast carcinoma patient, which occurred 9 years after initial surgery and radiation therapy. Distant metastases were detected on 18F-FDG PET/CT. The patient underwent fore-quarter amputation of upper limb and concurrent chemo-radiation therapy. However, she succumbed to her disease after 3 cycles of chemotherapy.



Conclusions: 18F-FDG PET/CT scan helps in early detection of malignant transformation and lymphagiosarcoma in setting of chronic lymphedema in breast carcinoma patients following radiation therapy to axilla. Furthermore, it helps in determining the extent of regional spread and also detection of metastatic involvement, and thus enables better clinical management of these patients.

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Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 June 2024

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