Incidental Cancer Findings in PET/CT Scans for Hematologic Malignancies
Author Information
Author(s): Luo Jessie, Bahlis Nizar J., Chan Denise, Duggan Peter, Jimenez-Zepeda Victor H., Lee Holly, McCulloch Sylvia, Neri Paola, Tay Jason
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and significance of incidental PET/CT findings of cancer in patients evaluated for primary hematologic malignancies?
Conclusion
Incidental PET/CT scans can detect clinically significant secondary cancers in patients with hematologic malignancies, with a median prevalence of 2.4% in myeloma patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Clinically significant incidental cancers were detected with a median of 2.4% in patients with myeloma.
- Incidental findings were most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland, and lungs.
- Early detection of incidental cancers led to successful interventions in most cases.
- Thirteen studies were included in the review, covering a total of 4450 patients.
- Most studies were conducted in Europe and North America.
- Incidental findings may affect the treatment of a patient’s primary hematologic malignancy.
Takeaway
Sometimes, when doctors use special scans to check for blood cancers, they find other cancers that weren't expected. This can help treat those other cancers early.
Methodology
A systematic review of 13 studies published between 2008 and 2022 was conducted to assess the prevalence and clinical significance of incidental PET/CT findings.
Potential Biases
Some studies had unclear reporting on the determination of clinical significance, which may introduce bias.
Limitations
The majority of studies were conference abstracts, limiting detailed information, and there was variability in reporting incidental findings.
Participant Demographics
The studies included patients with various hematologic malignancies, primarily myeloma and lymphoproliferative disorders.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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