In a groundbreaking study conducted at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, researchers have unveiled promising advancements in breast cancer imaging that could significantly impact patient care around the world. Breast cancer, especially when it’s advanced or comes back, needs precise imaging to see how far it has spread. Usually, doctors use CT scans and FDG PET/CT scans for this.
Now, researchers at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute have published a new test for determining the extent of breast cancer, called FES PET/CT. FES stands for Fluoroestradiol. It’s a special type of estrogen (a hormone) that has a small amount of radioactive material attached to it. Estrogen receptors are found in about 80% of breast cancers, which means these cancers use estrogen to grow. This new scan targets those estrogen receptors using a special form of estradiol (a type of estrogen) to find these receptors. FES can be visualized on a PET/CT scan. PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. It’s a type of imaging that can detect molecules important to cancer and other disease. CT stands for Computed Tomography. It uses millions of x-rays to construct a three dimensional view of structures in the body. The molecular information from a PET scan combined with the anatomic information from a CT scan produce PET/CT images which are critical to cancer staging and determining optimal cancer treatment.
Since FES binds specifically to estrogen receptors, it helps doctors see exactly where the estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells are in your body. This makes it very precise for detecting and monitoring these types of cancers.
Gary A. Ulaner, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.N.M, the James & Pamela Muzzy Endowed Chair in Molecular Imaging and Therapy and Director of Molecular Imaging and Therapy for the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, led a study comparing the new imaging technique, FES PET/CT, with standard imaging methods for detecting distant metastases and recurrences in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The results, which are nothing short of revolutionary, were published in the prestigious JAMA Network Open today. JAMA Network Open is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association and is part of the JAMA Network, a consortium of peer-reviewed publications.
The study shows that FES PET/CT could become the new standard for imaging in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, and this new method may be more accurate and reduce the number of false positives, meaning fewer unnecessary biopsies and treatments for patients.
“For patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, FES PET/CT can be a valuable tool for staging and detecting recurrences, potentially leading to more accurate diagnoses and better-informed treatment decisions,” Dr. Ulaner said. “This is a big step forward in strengthening breast cancer care. These findings will influence national staging guidelines and choice of imaging methods. It will have immediate impact in the lives of patients.”
The Hoag Family Cancer Institute is leading the way in cancer research and treatment. Dr. Ulaner and his team are excited about the future of FES PET/CT and its potential to change breast cancer care. They are committed to continuing their research to confirm and expand these findings.
This new imaging method, FES PET/CT, is now available at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute. The dedication of the Hoag Family Cancer Institute to advancing cancer care is clear in this groundbreaking study, bringing hope to patients everywhere.
