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Research ArticleContinuing Education

18F-FES Whole-Body Imaging Protocol for Evaluating Tumor Estrogen Receptor Status in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer

Barbara J. Grabher
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology July 2023, jnmt.122.265272; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2967/jnmt.122.265272
Barbara J. Grabher
Grabher Consulting & Specialty Services, Forest Hill, Maryland
CNMT, RT(N), NCT FSNMMI-TS
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  • FIGURE 1.
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    FIGURE 1.

    Patient 1. History: ER+, HER2-negative, T2N0M0 left breast lobular carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and 5 y of hormone therapy (tamoxifen). Eight years after treatment completion, T10 and T12 fractures emerged, and cancer antigen 15-3 was 3,500 U/mL (reference level, <25 U/mL). Outcome: all lesions expressed ERs on 18F-FES PET/CT. Accumulation was higher for 18F-FES than for 18F-FDG, probably because of lobular histology. Some lesions were barely seen with 18F-FDG. Treatment: aromatase inhibitor (exemestane), with lesion stabilization and cancer antigen 15-3 reduction from 3,500 to 1,50 U/mL 2 y after treatment began. (Reprinted from (10).)

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    FIGURE 2.

    Patient 2. History: ER+, progesterone receptor–negative, HER2-negative lobular carcinoma with initial bone metastases. Outcome: lesion heterogeneity (18F-FES PET/CT scan showing both 18F-FES–positive lesions [red arrows] and 18F-FES–negative lesions [blue arrows]). No uptake was seen on 18F-FES PET/CT scan for lesions that showed uptake on second 18F-FDG PET/CT scan (blue arrows). 18F-FES–positive lesions corresponded to progressive lesions seen with 18F-FDG (yellow arrows), potentially explaining progression with hormone therapy. Treatment: aromatase inhibitor (blocks ERs), which resulted in reduction or disappearance of 18F-FES PET signal; radiation therapy on T9 and left iliac bone; and exemestane, resulting in bone progression on L5 and left iliac bone. (Reprinted from (10).)

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    FIGURE 3.

    Normal increased uptake of 18F-FES in liver (1), gastrointestinal tract (2), kidneys (3), urinary bladder (4), and injected vessel (5). Uptake in injected vessel, seen in most patients, is probably due to sticking of tracer to vessel wall or endothelial cells (2). (Courtesy of DRA Imaging.)

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    FIGURE 4.

    Abnormal uptake of 18F-FES. Although 18F-FDG WB imaging is not helpful in visualizing brain metastasis, 18F-FES WB imaging is. (A) WB 18F-FES image from vertex to mid thighs, with increased uptake in chest and brain. (B) Extra image of skull that clearly illustrates the 2 brain metastatic lesions (2). (Courtesy of DRA Imaging.)

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    TABLE 1.

    Appropriate-Use Guidelines for 14 Clinical Scenarios (7) in Which 18F-FES PET Might Be Used

    ScenarioAppropriateness of useScore
    Appropriate (scores of 7–9)
    8 For assessing ER status when lesions are difficult to biopsy or biopsy is nondiagnostic8
    9 For considering second line of endocrine therapy after progression of metastatic disease8
    10 For considering endocrine therapy at initial diagnosis of metastatic disease8
    14 For detecting ER status when findings of other imaging tests are equivocal or suggestive8
    May be appropriate (scores of 4–6)
    2 For diagnosing malignancy of unknown primary when biopsy is nonfeasible or nondiagnostic5
    5 For routine staging of extraaxillary nodes and distant metastases5
    6 For staging invasive lobular carcinoma and low-grade invasive ductal carcinoma5
    7 For assessing ER status, in lieu of biopsy, in lesions that are easily accessible for biopsy5
    13 For detecting lesions in suspected or known recurrent or metastatic breast cancer5
    Rarely appropriate (scores of 1–3)
    1 For diagnosing primary breast cancer2
    3 For routine staging of primary tumor (T staging)1
    4 For routine staging of axillary nodes3
    11 For considering endocrine therapy at initial diagnosis of primary breast cancer1
    12 For measuring response to therapy1
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    TABLE 2.

    18F-FES Acquisition Parameters

    Acquisition parameterSpecificationStandard/preferred/optional
    PET scanner type2 or 3 dimensionalStandard
    Energy peak511 keVStandard
    Energy window18F-fluorineStandard
    Patient positionSupine with arms above head, if possibleStandard
    Injection-to-scan time20–80 min after injectionStandard
    80 minPreferred
    Acquisition areaWB (thighs to vertex)Standard
    Acquisition time20–30 minStandard
    Number of bed positions6–8Standard
    Time per bed position3–4 minStandard
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    TABLE 3.

    18F-FES Access Support

    CategoryReimbursement service
    Investigation of benefitsAid in determining patient’s health insurance coverage
    Billing and coding assistanceProvide guidance for billing and coding requirements
    Claims assistanceHelp in navigating through claims process
    Preservice and postservice appealsAid in assisting with and expediting these appeals
    Prior-authorization support and status monitoringHelp with initiating and monitoring prior-authorization requests from insurance companies (prefill request on your behalf)
    Medical necessity supportProvide support to establish medical necessity
    Peer-to-peer preparationProvide one-on-one collaborative training and strategies to assist health-care provider in seeking 18F-FES insurance coverage
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Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology: 53 (1)
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
Vol. 53, Issue 1
March 1, 2025
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18F-FES Whole-Body Imaging Protocol for Evaluating Tumor Estrogen Receptor Status in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer
Barbara J. Grabher
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology Jul 2023, jnmt.122.265272; DOI: 10.2967/jnmt.122.265272

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18F-FES Whole-Body Imaging Protocol for Evaluating Tumor Estrogen Receptor Status in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer
Barbara J. Grabher
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology Jul 2023, jnmt.122.265272; DOI: 10.2967/jnmt.122.265272
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  • Article
    • Visual Abstract
    • Abstract
    • MECHANISM OF ACTION, PHARMACODYNAMICS, AND PHARMACOKINETICS
    • PATIENT SELECTION
    • APPROPRIATE-USE CRITERIA FOR ER-TARGETED PET
    • CLINICAL INDICATION AND LIMITATIONS OF USE
    • PATIENT PREPARATION
    • DOSE AND ADMINISTRATION
    • ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING PARAMETERS
    • 18F-FES TRACER DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS
    • IMAGE INTERPRETATION
    • WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
    • USE IN SPECIAL PATIENT POPULATIONS
    • BENEFITS OF 18F-FES ER IMAGING
    • SUPPORT WITH 18F-FES ACCESS
    • CONCLUSION
    • DISCLOSURE
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Keywords

  • breast cancer
  • estrogen receptor imaging
  • 18F-fluoroestradiol
  • Cerianna
  • patient outcomes
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