PET/CT

PET/CT > Pathology > Malignant > Endocrine > Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Papillary Thyroid Cancer

75 year old male status post surgery and multiple prior I-131 treatments for metastatic papillary thyroid cancer. Most recent post I-131 treatment scan showed activity in the region of the thyroid bed and superior mediastinum consistent with thyroid cancer metastases. There was also diffuse fairly uniform activity with the lungs without focality attributed to metabolism of iodine labeled thyroid hormone produced by metastatic thyroid cancer. Thyroglobulin level remains elevated and there are multiple nodules seen within the lungs on a recent CT which have not changed significantly in size over one year. PET/CT ordered to evaluate for focal increased FDG activity within “stable” lung nodules in the setting of persistently elevated serum thyroglobulin level and an I-131 examination which did not suggest lung metastases.

There is increased FDG activity within multiple lung nodules, the largest of which is located in the left upper lobe, measures 15 mm in diameter, and demonstrates markedly increased FDG activity (maximum SUV 7.8 and average SUV 5.7). These findings are compatible with thyroid cancer lung metastases.