The potential role of 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT for screening malignancy in suspected colonic lesions

Nucl Med Commun. 2023 Oct 1;44(10):896-899. doi: 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001734. Epub 2023 Jul 14.

Abstract

Aim: Benign colonic lesions like tubular adenoma may show intense uptake on F-18-FDG PET/CT and can be mistaken for malignancy. In this study, we evaluated the role of 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT for discriminating the benign and malignant colonic lesions.

Methods: Forty patients with diagnosis of colorectal cancer who had undergone 18F-FDG-PET/CT and 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT for initial staging were retrospectively analyzed. The unexpected foci of uptake in colon on 18F-FDG PET/CT were compared with 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT with lesion and background SUVmax.

Results: The primary colorectal lesion SUVmax on both PET/CTs was similar. A total of 9 incidental colon lesions in 7 patients were detected showing intense 18F-FDG uptake and no 68Ga-FAPI-04 uptake. All of the lesions were consistent with tubular adenoma histopathologically.

Conclusion: 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT may have a crucial role for discrimination of benign and malignant colonic lesions and avoid the unnecessary interventions and extended surgeries in patients with colorectal cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Humans
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Quinolines*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • 68Ga-FAPI
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Quinolines