PURPOSE: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon and aggressive cutaneous neoplasm of neuroendocrine origin. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) and positron emission tomography (PET) using 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) have been proposed to stage MCC and to detect early recurrences. As 6-[F-18]fluoro-L-DOPA (FDOPA) is taken up by other neuroendocrine tumors, we speculated that FDOPA-PET could image MCC. PROCEDURE: FDOPA-PET was performed together with FDG-PET (three patients) and SRS (two patients) in different clinical settings: localization of the primary tumor, staging, and suspicion of recurrence. RESULTS: Uptake of FDOPA-(18F) by MCC was observed in the two true-positive cases, with an agreement between the results of FDOPA-PET, FDG-PET, and SRS; however, the contrast was lower on FDOPA-PET than on FDG-PET images. In the last patient suspected of recurrence repeatedly on SRS and with inconclusive FDG-PET, FDOPA-PET was negative, and a 12-month follow-up demonstrated a true-negative result. CONCLUSION: MCC takes up FDOPA-(18F). The potential role of FDOPA-PET in its management warrants clarification.
PURPOSE:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon and aggressive cutaneous neoplasm of neuroendocrine origin. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) and positron emission tomography (PET) using 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) have been proposed to stage MCC and to detect early recurrences. As 6-[F-18]fluoro-L-DOPA (FDOPA) is taken up by other neuroendocrine tumors, we speculated that FDOPA-PET could image MCC. PROCEDURE: FDOPA-PET was performed together with FDG-PET (three patients) and SRS (two patients) in different clinical settings: localization of the primary tumor, staging, and suspicion of recurrence. RESULTS: Uptake of FDOPA-(18F) by MCC was observed in the two true-positive cases, with an agreement between the results of FDOPA-PET, FDG-PET, and SRS; however, the contrast was lower on FDOPA-PET than on FDG-PET images. In the last patient suspected of recurrence repeatedly on SRS and with inconclusive FDG-PET, FDOPA-PET was negative, and a 12-month follow-up demonstrated a true-negative result. CONCLUSION: MCC takes up FDOPA-(18F). The potential role of FDOPA-PET in its management warrants clarification.
Authors: S Hoegerle; C Altehoefer; N Ghanem; G Koehler; C F Waller; H Scheruebl; E Moser; E Nitzsche Journal: Radiology Date: 2001-08 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: A Blom; F Kolb; J Lumbroso; P Duvillard; G Mamelle; K Morzli; M Ricard; A Spatz; P Petrow; A Margulis; M-F Avril Journal: Ann Dermatol Venereol Date: 2003-04 Impact factor: 0.777
Authors: Alexander Becherer; Monica Szabó; Georgios Karanikas; Patrick Wunderbaldinger; Peter Angelberger; Markus Raderer; Amir Kurtaran; Robert Dudczak; Kurt Kletter Journal: J Nucl Med Date: 2004-07 Impact factor: 10.057