Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lung: interest of 18FDG PET/CT in the management of an atypical presentation

Lung Cancer. 2008 Jan;59(1):133-6. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2007.06.002. Epub 2007 Jul 20.

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a common head and neck tumor originating from salivary glands but that can also exceptionally develop in the trachea and major bronchi. ACC is generally considered as a slow-growing, low-grade malignancy with prolonged clinical course. Metastases are very unusual and recurrences are more often local. Treatment for localized ACC is surgery. We here report for the first time a case of lung ACC with a synchronous liver metastasis proved by biopsy. Moreover, we report the interest of performing a 18FDG PET-CT as both primary tumor and liver metastasis presented an intense FDG uptake. The specificity of the liver 18FDG uptake was confirmed by Glut-1 positive immunostaining. We propose that 18FDG PET-CT should be considered in the initial staging of lung ACC in selected patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / pathology
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18