The diagnostic hurdle of an elderly male with bone pain: how 18F-FDG-PET led to diagnosis of a leiomyosarcoma of the adrenal gland

Anticancer Res. 2009 Feb;29(2):469-72.

Abstract

It is uncommon for patients to present with bone metastases while the primary tumor is still unknown. The case of a patient with bone metastases as primary presentation of leiomyosarcoma, who was diagnosed after a 18F-FDG PET-CT and a CT-guided biopsy of the adrenal gland is described. If after routine physical, laboratory and radiological investigations no diagnosis can be made, 18F-FDG PET should be added to the conventional work-up of patients with unknown primary cancer. In this way, unnecessary and enduring suffering of symptomatic patients may be prevented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Leiomyosarcoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Leiomyosarcoma / secondary
  • Male
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18