375A Concord Road, Concord West NSW 2138
Clinical history
The patient, a 31.4 kg dog with a history of mammary carcinoma, was referred for restaging following previous surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The PET/CT examination was performed to assess the current extent of disease and evaluate for suspected recurrent or metastatic disease. A previous CT examination from April 2026 was available for comparison.
Why was PET-CT performed?
The PET-CT was performed to provide both functional and anatomical information, allowing assessment of:
- Suspected recurrent mammary carcinoma
- Multiple lesions along the left ventral body wall
- Regional lymph node involvement
- Possible metastatic disease
- Other areas of abnormal metabolic activity throughout the body
The examination was performed using 18F-FDG PET/CT, with imaging commencing 57 minutes after administration of the radiotracer. A total of 131 MBq of F-18 FDG was administered intravenously.
Key PET-CT findings
Multiple regions of concern were identified along the left ventral body wall.
The most significant lesion was an ill-defined, invasive and partially mineralised mass in the left axillary region, demonstrating heterogeneous contrast enhancement and moderate FDG uptake. The lesion extended from approximately C6 to T3 and invaded the pectoral musculature, with possible involvement of the sternohyoid and trapezius muscles.
Additional lobulated lesions were identified along the body wall from approximately T9 to L3. These lesions demonstrated strong peripheral contrast enhancement and increased FDG uptake, with a reported SUVmax of 9.17.
Mildly FDG-avid lymphadenopathy was also identified, including the sternal lymph nodes (SUVmax 3.54) and left periscapular lymph nodes (SUVmax 2.4).
A small mildly FDG-avid nodule was also identified in the right inguinal region, with an SUVmax of 3.1, which was considered concerning given the patient’s previous mammary carcinoma.
Importantly, no pulmonary metastatic lesions were identified on the examination.
The left axillary mass demonstrated an SUVmax of 8.04, with an MTV2.5 of 104.19 cm³ and TLG2.5 of 393.26 SUV×cm³.
Clinical significance
This case demonstrates how 18F-FDG PET/CT can provide comprehensive whole-body metabolic and anatomical information in a dog undergoing cancer restaging.
The examination identified multiple metabolically active lesions along the body wall, including an invasive left axillary mass and additional caudal lesions considered most consistent with recurrent mammary tumours. The mildly FDG-avid lymph nodes and right inguinal nodule also provided additional sites for clinical consideration.
At the same time, the absence of visible pulmonary metastatic lesions provided important information for assessment of the current disease distribution.
By combining metabolic information from PET with detailed anatomical information from CT, PET/CT allowed multiple sites to be evaluated during a single whole-body examination.
Additional findings
The examination identified mild FDG uptake in several muscles, including the right thoracic limb flexor muscles, right gastrocnemius and right thigh musculature. These areas did not demonstrate associated asymmetric contrast enhancement or intramuscular nodules and were considered most likely related to myositis rather than infiltrative neoplastic disease.
Multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules were also identified. None demonstrated significant FDG avidity to raise concern for active neoplasia, although cytological sampling could be considered for further evaluation. Chronic multifocal intervertebral disc disease was also noted.
The PET/CT examination demonstrated multifocal, FDG-avid lesions along the left ventral body wall, with the more caudal lesions considered most likely to represent recurrent mammary tumours.
The invasive left axillary lesion was considered suspicious for either a metastatic lymph node or metastatic lesion. Mild sternal and left superficial cervical lymphadenopathy was also identified and could represent metastatic or reactive change.
No visible pulmonary metastatic lesions were identified.
This case highlights the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for whole-body restaging in canine patients with recurrent cancer, providing complementary metabolic and anatomical information to assist in the assessment of disease distribution and areas requiring further investigation.
We are currently accepting referrals. Pet owners can contact their vet directly and request a referral to Pet Theranostics.
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For Pet OwnersFrequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the PET-CT scan in this canine patient?
The PET/CT was performed for restaging following previous treatment for mammary carcinoma and to assess the distribution of suspected recurrent or metastatic disease.
What were the main PET/CT findings?
Multiple FDG-avid lesions were identified along the left ventral body wall, including an invasive left axillary mass and additional lesions extending from approximately T9 to L3.
Was pulmonary metastatic disease identified?
No visible pulmonary metastatic lesions were identified on the examination
Did the PET/CT identify lymph node involvement?
Mildly FDG-avid sternal and left periscapular lymphadenopathy was identified. These findings could represent metastatic or reactive changes.
Why is PET/CT useful for cancer restaging?
PET/CT combines functional information from FDG uptake with detailed anatomical information from CT, allowing areas of increased metabolic activity to be assessed alongside their anatomical appearance.
How does PET-CT help pet owners and referring veterinarians?
PET-CT provides a comprehensive whole-body assessment that can identify both cancerous and non-cancerous conditions in a single scan. This helps veterinarians make informed clinical decisions while giving pet owners greater reassurance about their pet’s health.
What radiotracer was used?
The examination was performed using 18F-FDG, with 131 MBq administered intravenously and imaging beginning 57 minutes after injection.
Why choose Pet Theranostics for PET-CT imaging?
Pet Theranostics offers advanced PET-CT imaging expertise to support accurate cancer assessment, treatment monitoring and whole-body disease evaluation. Their specialised imaging capabilities help referring veterinarians obtain detailed diagnostic information to guide patient care.
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