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European Journal of Hybrid Imaging

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Non-FDG PET/CT in Diagnostic Oncology: a pictorial review

European Journal of Hybrid Imaging volume 3, Article number: 20 (2019) Cite this article

Abstract

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is currently one of the main imaging modalities for cancer patients worldwide. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT has earned its global recognition in the modern management of cancer patients and is rapidly becoming an important imaging modality for patients with cardiac, neurological, and infectious/inflammatory conditions.

Despite its proven benefits, FDG has limitations in the assessment of several relevant tumours such as prostate cancer. Therefore, there has been a pressing need for the development and clinical application of different PET radiopharmaceuticals that could image these tumours more precisely. Accordingly, several non-FDG PET radiopharmaceuticals have been introduced into the clinical arena for management of cancer. This trend will undoubtedly continue to spread internationally. The use of PET/CT with different PET radiopharmaceuticals specific to tumour type and biological process being assessed is part of the personalised precision medicine approach.

The objective of this publication is to provide a case-based method of understanding normal biodistribution, variants, and pitfalls, including several examples of different imaging appearances for the main oncological indications for each of the new non-FDG PET radiopharmaceuticals. This should facilitate the interpretation and recognition of common variants and pitfalls to ensure that, in clinical practice, the official report is accurate and helpful.

Some of these radiopharmaceuticals are already commercially available in many countries (e.g. 68Ga-DOTATATE and DOTATOC), others are in the process of becoming available (e.g. 68Ga-PSMA), and some are still being researched. However, this list is subject to change as some radiopharmaceuticals are increasingly utilised, while others gradually decrease in use.

Radioisotopes

Carbon-11 is a PET radioisotope with a T1/2 of 20.4 min. Due to the abundance of carbon in the chemistry of biomolecules, all C-11 radiopharmaceuticals demonstrate identical behaviour to natural compounds, allowing real tracing of the biological processes.

Fluorine-18 is a PET radioisotope with a T1/2 of 109.7 min. Due to high chemical stability of the C-F bond in organic compounds, and the high water solubility of F-compounds, F-18 tracers usually exhibit suitable stability and biodistribution in humans. The vast clinical application of F-compounds has led to the development of efficient automated production methods of F-18 tracers for clinical use.

Gallium-68 has a T1/2 of 67.7 min, and is usually obtained from a germanium-68 generator. Due to the T1/2 of 271 days of the parent isotope, 68Ge, the generator can be used for in-hospital production of Ga-68.

Radiopharmaceuticals

Acetate

Names: CH3[11C]O2, 11C-acetate

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1
figure1

Physiological bio-distribution of 11C-acetate

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After injection 11C-acetate is dispersed in many human tissues including the pancreas, bowels, liver, kidneys, and spleen. The tracer is not excreted in urine under normal circumstances. 11C-acetate is typically incorporated into the cellular membrane in proportion to the cellular proliferation rate or alternatively oxidised to carbon dioxide and water. 11C-acetate may also be converted into amino acids (Seltzer et al. 2004; Karanikas and Beheshti 2014).

Scan acquisition

• Fast of 4 h is suggested

• 4 or 5 MBq\Kg of 11C-acetate iv

• Uptake time 10–20 min

• Acquisition starts from the pelvis

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 2 and 3)

Fig. 2
figure2

11C-acetate, staging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), comparison with 18F-FDG. Clinical history: 78 y.o. man with metastatic HCC after liver transplantation, patient underwent acetate and FDG study in a single day examination. PET/CT findings: acetate: multiple areas of increased uptake in the liver, lymph nodes, and bones consistent with lytic lesions at CT images. No FDG uptake. a FDG MIP. b FDG fused images. c acetate MIP. d acetate fused images

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Fig. 3
figure3

11C-acetate, staging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), comparison with 18F-FDG. Clinical history: 69 y.o. patients with HCC at presentation. Staging of a poorly differentiated HCC, patient underwent acetate and FDG study in a single day examination. PET/CT findings: acetate (a MIP and fused images): no areas of significant tracer uptake in the liver. The hypodense lesion in the IV segment (CT images red arrow) is consistent with the primary HCC. FDG (b MIP and fused images): increased tracer uptake in the IV segment (CT images red arrow) is consistent with the primary HCC

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The main clinical application of 11C-acetate is the detection of non 18F-FDG-avid neoplasm, such as differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma and renal cell carcinomas (Hain and Maisey 2003; Ho et al. 2003; Park et al. 2008). Some other applications of 11C-acetate PET are brain tumours (Liu et al. 2006) and lung carcinomas, while in the past the tracer has been used in prostate cancer (Sandblom et al. 2006).

FES

Names: 16α-[18F] Fluoro-17β-estradiol; 16-Fluoroestradiol, 18F-fluoroestradiol

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 4)

Fig. 4
figure4

Physiological bio-distribution of 18F-fluoroestradiol. Low (a) and high (b) intensity MIP images

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After injection, the tracer is cleared from the blood and metabolised in 20 min. 18F-fluoroestradiol binds to the oestrogen receptors on the tumour cell surface as well as intratumoural receptors in oestrogen receptor-positive tumours (Liao et al. 2016).

Scan acquisition

  • Treatment with oestrogen receptor antagonists (e.g. tamoxifen, fulvestrant, faslodex, oestrogens) should be suspended for at least 5 weeks prior to performing the scan. Aromatase inhibitors and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonists may be continued

  • No fasting is required

  • 200 MBq of 18F-fluoroestradiol iv

  • Level of binding of 18F-FES to the oestrogen receptors remains stable between 20 and 120 min postinjection. For logistical reasons, scanning procedure should start 60 min after injection

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 5 and 6)

Fig. 5
figure5

18F-fluoroestradiol, restaging breast cancer. Clinical history: 46 y.o. woman with proven breast cancer on the right side (ER+). Palpable lymph nodes in the right axilla. PET/CT findings: ER expression visible in the primary breast tumour and in several lymph nodes in the right axilla and in the right clavicular region in MIP (a); one focal lesion with increased ER expression in a cervical vertebra in fused images (b)

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Fig. 6
figure6

18F-fluoroestradiol, breast cancer, characterisation of brain metastasis. Clinical history: 53 y.o. woman with history of colon cancer (2004) and breast cancer (2011), ER+, presenting with an 18-mm brain lesion on MRI (a). Biopsy was not possible due to location. PET/CT findings: solitary lesion with increased ER expression in the brain in MIP (b), located in the left occipital lobe on fused images (c), suggesting brain metastasis from breast cancer

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18F-fluoroestradiol is a valuable tracer for the studies of the oestrogen receptor status of primary and metastatic breast or ovarian cancers (Venema et al. 2016; van Kruchten et al. 2013a; van Kruchten et al. 2012; van Kruchten et al. 2013b; Peterson et al. 2011; Linden et al. 2011).

FET

Names: O-(2-[18F] Fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine; 18F-fluoroethyltyrosine

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 7)

Fig. 7
figure7

Physiological biodistribution of 18F-FET

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18F-FET is an amino-acid PET tracer. After injection, the tracer is trapped into cancerous cells, though it is not incorporated into proteins (Abe et al. 2006).

Scan acquisition

• Fasting for at least 4 h is required

• 4–5 MBq\Kg of 18F-FET iv

• Dynamic one bed brain acquisition for 40 min or static one bed brain acquisitions at 10 and 40–50 min. after injection, for 10 min.

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 8, 9, and 10)

Fig. 8
figure8

18F-FET, evaluation of a brain lesion. Clinical history: 46 y.o. man with nausea and headache. CT was non-informative (a). MRI shows an infiltrating lesion with low Gd enhancement (b). PET/CT findings: high FET uptake (c). Surgery confirmed a high-grade glioma

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Fig. 9
figure9

18F-FET, evaluation of a brain lesion. Clinical history: 46 y.o. man with seizure. CT (a) and MRI (b) shows an infiltrating lesion in the right parietal region (a). PET/CT findings: faint FET uptake in PET (c). Surgery confirmed a low-grade glioma

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Fig. 10
figure10

18F-FET, suspicion of recurrence. Clinical history: 55 y.o. woman, with grade II–III oligo-astrocytoma treated by surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy 13 months prior. MRI shows a focal area of Gd enhancement but no corresponding perfusion anomaly, consistent with radiation necrosis (a). PET/CT findings: highly increased FET uptake in the lesion, consistent with persistent/recurrent tumour on PET and fused images (b). Surgery revealed grade II oligo-astrocytoma

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Diagnosis of central nervous system tumours (very low background in healthy brain) (Galldiks et al. 2015; Albert et al. 2016; Unterrainer et al. 2016; Kunz et al. 2011; Poulsen et al. 2017).

FLT

Names: 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]-fluorothymidine; 18F-fluorothymidine

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 11)

Fig. 11
figure11

Physiological biodistribution of 18F-FLT

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18F-FLT is an analogue of the nucleoside thymidine; however, substitution of the 3′-F atom prevents from further entering the regular biochemical pathway. FLT is transported from the blood into cells by active transport and phosphorylated by thymidine kinase I without incorporation into the DNA. The conjugated FLT is cleared via the kidneys and excreted in the urine. The accumulated activity in the cells is proportional to thymidine kinase 1 activity as well as cellular proliferation (Grierson and Shields 2000; Oh et al. 2004; Shankar 2012; Turcotte et al. 2007; Vesselle et al. 2003).

Scan acquisition

• No fasting is required

• 2–3 MBq\Kg of 18F-FLT iv

• Uptake time 50–60 min

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 12, 13, and 14)

Fig. 12
figure12

18F-FLT, NSCLC, before second line therapy. Clinical history: 57 y.o. patient with NSCLC who progressed after first line chemotherapy. PET/CT findings: intense tracer uptake in the left lung and in multiple large mediastinal lymph nodes and small bone lesions. a MIP. b CT and fused images of the thorax. c CT and fused images of the pelvis

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Fig. 13
figure13

18F-FLT, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, staging. Clinical history: 52 y.o. patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at presentation. PET/CT findings: intense tracer uptake in enlarged inguinal and right iliac chain nodes. a MIP. bCT and fused images

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Fig. 14
figure14

18F-FLT, Hodgkin lymphoma, response evaluation. Clinical history: 32 y.o. patient with Hodgkin lymphoma after second-line therapy. PET/CT findings: moderate uptake of the tracer in two retroperitoneal lymph nodes. a MIP. b MIP in a sagittal view. c CT and fused images

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18F-FLT is a marker for tumour cell proliferation that has been introduced to improve the accuracy of early FDG PET assessment (Kenny et al. 2007).

Methionine

Names: L-[methyl-11C] Methionine; 11C-Methionine

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 15)

Fig. 15
figure15

Physiological biodistribution of 11C-Methionine. MIP at 10 min (a) and 20 min (b) after administration; brain (c): there is only faint tracer uptake in the brain. There is low, variable uptake in the bowel. In most cases, no radioactive urine is detected in the ureters or bladder at 20 mins after injection

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11C-Methionine, an essential amino acid, enters the cells by various aminoacid transporters and is involved in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, as well as in the regulation and synthesis of DNA and RNA (Davis et al. 1982; Deloar et al. 1998; Harris et al. 2013).

Scan acquisition

• Fasting for at least 2 h

• 3 MBq/kg of 11C-Methionine iv

• Injection immediately before the start of the emission

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 16, 17, and 18)

Fig. 16
figure16

11C-Methionine, Glioblastoma grade 2, surgical changes. Clinical history: 25 y.o. female. Glioblastoma grade 2. Surgical treatment with macroscopically complete resection of right frontal glioblastoma. MRI: T2-FLAIR image shows heterogeneous hyperintensity (a) and T1 using Gd shows peripheral contrast enhancement. PET/CT findings: slight tracer uptake in margins of surgical field, compatible with inflammatory activity in PET/CT images (b)

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Fig. 17
figure17

11C-Methionine, suspicion of recurrence. Clinical history: 41 y.o. male. Left frontal grade III oligoastrocytoma partially removed and treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Asymptomatic for 3 years until relapse. After chemotherapy, MRI showed tumour growth, nodule in external surgical cavity wall, multiple Gd positive foci in left frontal lobe and a smaller one right anterior parasagittal. It is not possible to differentiate between gliosis or relapse (a). PET/CT findings: intense 11C-Methionine uptake in left frontal lobe related to tumour relapse, which extends to adjacent white matter (b)

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Fig. 18
figure18

11C-Methionine, Primary hyperparathyroidism. Clinical history: 74 y.o. female patient with chronic renal failure and goitre. Parathyroid hormone 68 pg/mL. 99mTc-MIBI SPECT: multinodular goitre that extends to the thorax with a left moderate uptake nodule. There is no evidence of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue (a). PET/CT findings: multinodular goitre with a large mass in the left lobe that displaces the trachea to the right on CT (b). In the anterolateral and lower left section of this mass there is a nodule with focal tracer uptake without a clear plane of cleavage with the gland on fused images (c). These findings suggest a parathyroid adenoma

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11C-Methionine is used in the detection of brain tumours, primarily gliomas. The gliomas present an increased protein metabolism and capture 11C-Methionine through specific carriers, in contrast to normal tissues that show low uptake.

Choline

Names:

  1. 1.

    [11C]CH, 11C-choline

  2. 2.

    [18F]CH, 18F-fluorocholine

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 19)

Fig. 19
figure19

Physiological bio-distribution and normal variants of 11C-choline 2-5 min after administration: main findings. a Normal biodistribution but a small amount of radioactive urine is present in the bladder; mild uptake in the thyroid. b The presence of intense uptake in the vessels in which the tracers has been injected is a relatively common finding; some mild thyroid uptake is present. c Moderate uptake in the bowel may be present. d Some diffuse faint uptake in the bone marrow may be present especially after treatments as a bone marrow rebound

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After injection, the tracer rapidly clears from the circulation (< 3 min), with high clearance by liver and kidneys. Increased metabolism will lead to an increased uptake of choline in the cell membranes and tissues.

11C-choline distributes mainly to the pancreas, kidneys, liver, spleen, and colon. Based upon the relatively low urinary excretion of radioactivity, renal distribution is predominantly to the organ itself, rather than via formation of urine.

The urinary excretion of 18F-fluorocholine has been reported to be about 5% of the administered activity in female patients and 2% in male patients within 60 min after injection (Mitterhauser et al. 2005; DeGrado et al. 2001; DeGrado et al. 2002).

Scan acquisition

• Fasting of 4 h is suggested

• 4 or 5 MBq\Kg of 11C-choline iv/300 MBq 18F-fluorocholine iv

• Uptake time 2–5 min for 11C-choline/30 min for 18F-fluorocholine

• Acquisition starts from the pelvis for 11C-choline/head-thorax for 18F-fluorocholine

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24)

Fig. 20
figure20

11C-choline, Initial staging: in very high-risk prostate cancer. Clinical history: 74 y.o. man with prostate cancer, Gleason score 4 + 5 according to biopsy. PSA = 126 ng/ml, T3a according to TRUS, candidate for radical prostatectomy. PET/CT findings: multiple foci of increased uptake seen through the pelvis and retroperitoneum, representing pathological uptake in the prostate and lymph node metastases. However, there is no evidence of osseous or visceral involvement. MIP (a), CT (b), and fused images (c)

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Fig. 21
figure21

11C-choline, biochemical recurrence (BCR). Clinical history: 70 y.o. man with prostate cancer, Gleason score 4 + 3, treated with radical prostatectomy as primary treatment; BCR with a TTR 48 months and PSA 0.6 ng/ml PSAdt 5 months. PET/CT findings: focal increased uptake seen in the right iliac bone. MIP (a), CT (b), and fused images (c) showed a very small osteoblastic lesion

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Fig. 22
figure22

Physiological biodistribution of 18F-fluorocholine

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Fig. 23
figure23

18F-fluorocholine, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR). Clinical history: 72 y.o. man with prostate cancer, Gleason score 3 + 3, treated with radiation therapy. Patient underwent transuretral prostate resection prior to radiotherapy. BCR with a TTR 14 months and PSA 0.8 ng/ml PSAdt 13 months. PET/CT findings: focal increased uptake below the bladder seen on MIP (a), CT (b), and fused images (c)

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Fig. 24
figure24

18F-fluorocholine, prostate cancer, response evaluation. Clinical history: 73 y.o. man with prostate cancer, Gleason score 4 + 3, treated with radical prostatectomy. BCR with PSA 2.3 ng/ml PSAdt 6 months; evaluation after 2 months of hormonal treatment (PSA 0.5 ng/ml). PET/CT findings: intense 18F-Choline uptake in the vertebra before therapy (a MIP; b fused and CT) not visible after 2 months of hormonal treatment (c MIP; d fused and CT)

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The main clinical application of choline is in prostate cancer patients for staging and restaging the disease in case of biochemical recurrence after primary treatment (Kryza et al. 2008; Evangelista et al. 2013).

PSMA

Names: [68Ga] prostate-specific membrane antigen ligand; 68Ga-PSMA

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 25)

Fig. 25
figure25

Physiological biodistribution of 68Ga-PSMA (PSMA 11). Salivary glands, small bowel (jejunum), kidneys, spleen, and liver are the organs with the highest uptake of 68Ga-PSMA-11

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Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a tumour-associated antigen and type II transmembrane protein, is expressed on the membrane of prostatic epithelial cells and overexpressed on prostate tumour cells. Upon internalisation of the radiotracer, PSMA-expressing tumour cells can be detected during PET imaging (Heidenreich et al. 2014; Afshar-Oromieh et al. 2016; Demirci et al. 2016).

Scan acquisition

• Fasting of 4 h is suggested

• 2 or 3 MBq\Kg of 68Ga-PSMA iv

• Uptake time 60–100 min

• Acquisition starts from the pelvis

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37)

Fig. 26
figure26

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, staging. Clinical history: 56 y.o. man with prostate cancer. At presentation, Gleason score 4 + 5; PSA = 14 ng/ml, candidate to radical prostatectomy. PET/CT findings: multiple foci of increased uptake involving prostate, lymph nodes, and bones (a MIP). Vertebral lesion seen on fused images (c) is not evident on CT (b)

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Fig. 27
figure27

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, initial staging. Clinical history: 58 y.o. man with prostate cancer, Gleason score 3 + 4. Suspicious rib lesion on bone SPECT/CT. PET/CT findings: increased uptake in prostate tumour. No abnormal findings in the skeleton. Faint uptake in inguinal and external iliac nodes, with abnormal appearance on CT, corresponding to inflammation. a MIP; b, c fused images

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Fig. 28
figure28

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR): sensitivity. Clinical history: 68 y.o. man with prostate cancer, Gleason score 4 + 3, radical prostatectomy as primary treatment; PSA 0.8 ng/ml, PSAdt 5 months, TTR 24 months, candidate for salvage radiation therapy to the prostatic fossa. PET/CT findings: single focus of faint uptake seen in the internal iliac chain, corresponding to a small right presacral nodule at CT image. a MIP. b PET, CT, and fused images

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Fig. 29
figure29

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR). Clinical history: 62 y.o. man with prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy as primary treatment Gleason score 4 + 4; PSA = 0.7 ng/ml, PSAdt 5 months, TTR 24 months, candidate to salvage radiation therapy to the prostatic fossa. PET/CT findings: single focus of increased uptake seen in the prostatic fossa consistent with local relapse after biopsy. a MIP; b CT and fused images

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Fig. 30
figure30

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR): specificity. Clinical history: 68 y.o. man with prostate cancer, prostatectomy as primary treatment, Gleason score 4 + 5; pT3N0Mx + adjuvant radiotherapy. Three years later: PSA = 2.49 ng/ml, PSAdt 8 months. PET/CT findings: no evidence of recurrent disease, but urinary activity is evident in the prostatic fossa and the urethra. a MIP in a lateral view; b CT, PET, and fused images

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Fig. 31
figure31

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR): sensitivity. Clinical history: 64 y.o. man with prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy as primary treatment Gleason score 4 + 4; PSA = 0.7 ng/ml, PSA dt 6 months, TTR 12 months, candidate for salvage radiation therapy in the prostatic fossa. PET/CT findings: single focus of increased uptake seen in a right external iliac lymph node (obturatory) measuring 8 mm in maximum diameter. a MIP; b CT and fused images

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Fig. 32
figure32

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR): sensitivity. Clinical history: 72 y.o. man with prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy as primary treatment Gleason score 4 + 5; PSA = 0.4 ng/ml, PSA dt 6 months, TTR 10 months, candidate for salvage radiation therapy in the prostatic fossa. PET/CT findings: a focus of increased uptake is seen in the prostatic fossa and a right common iliac lymph node measuring 7 mm in maximum diameter. a MIP; b CT and fused images, local relapse; c CT and fused images, iliac lymph node

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Fig. 33
figure33

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR): uncommon precarinal solitary metastasis Clinical history: 64 y.o. man with prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy as primary treatment Gleason score 4 + 5; PSA = 1.9 ng/ml, PSA dt 6 months, TTR 28 months. PET/CT findings: focus of increased uptake seen in an enlarged precarinal lymph node (24 mm). Transbronchial biopsy diagnosed prostate cancer relapse. a MIP images; b CT and fused images

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Fig. 34
figure34

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR): 223Ra feasability. Clinical history: 72 y.o. man with prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy as primary treatment Gleason score 4 + 3; during abiraterone treatment, PSA increased up to 127 ng/ml, candidate to 223Ra chloride. PET/CT findings: multiple foci of increased uptake in the bones. No lymph node or visceral metastases. After 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT, the patient has been referred to 223Ra chloride treatment. a MIP; b fused images

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Fig. 35
figure35

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR): peritoneal invasion. Clinical history: 67 y.o. man with prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy as primary treatment Gleason score 4 + 3; during anti-androgen treatment, PSA increased up to PSA = 114 ng/ml. PET/CT findings: multiple foci of increased uptake in the peritoneum, liver capsule, and mediastinal lymph nodes. a MIP. b PET, fused, and CT images

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Fig. 36
figure36

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence (BCR): pulmonary metastasis. Clinical history: 66 y.o. man with prostate cancer (Gleason score 4 + 3, pT3N0Mx), radical prostatectomy, and adjuvant RT. Three years later PSA = 1.62 ng/ml, PSAdt < 6 months. Bone scan, abdominal CT, and pelvic MRI were all negative. PET/CT findings: mild tracer uptake in multiple pulmonary nodules visualised on CT, the largest nodule is 19 mm, in the lingula. a MIP; b, c CT, PET, and fused images

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Fig. 37
figure37

68Ga-PSMA, prostate cancer, initial staging: lung lesion. Clinical history: 68 y.o. patient diagnosed with prostate cancer, treated with radical prostatectomy. First biochemical recurrence: PSA 0.39 ng/ml. PET/CT findings: increased uptake in a pulmonary nodule with irregular margins and spiculated edges in the left upper lobe. Biopsy diagnosed a primary lung adenocarcinoma. a MIP, b CT images, c fused images

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The main clinical application of 68Ga-PSMA is in prostate cancer patients, namely initial diagnosis (Fendler et al. 2017), nodal staging (Schneider et al. 2016), restaging in case of biochemical recurrence (Calais et al. 2018; Maurer et al. 2016), and theranostic in case of 177Lu-PSMA treatment (Mottet et al. 2011; Zamboglou et al. 2016), or alfa emitters such as 225AcPSMA (Maurer et al. 2016).

DOPA

Names: L-3,4-Dihydroxy-6-[18F] fluorophenylalanine, 18F-DOPA, 18F-Fluoro-L-DOPA

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 38)

Fig. 38
figure38

Physiological biodistribution of 18F-FDOPA

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18F-DOPA reflects all stages of DOPA transport, storage, and metabolism. The tracer is metabolised in the striatum, but also in peripheral tissues such as liver, kidneys, and lung (Rahbar et al. 2017).

Scan acquisition

• Fasting for more than 4 h

• 2–3 MBq/Kg of 18F-DOPA iv

• Uptake time 60 min for extra-cranial tumours. An additional acquisition of 10 min after injection is suggested in medullary thyroid cancer.

• Uptake time 10 min for primary brain tumours.

Clinical indications in oncology (Fig. 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43)

Fig. 39
figure39

18F-FDOPA, glioma. Clinical history: 61 y.o. woman with indeterminate left thalamic lesion. MRI consistent with low grade glioma (a). PET/CT findings: mild 18F-FDOPA uptake in the lesion, also consistent with low grade glioma (b PET, c fused PET and MR). Follow-up (2 years): no evolution

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Fig. 40
figure40

18F-FDOPA, paraganglioma. Clinical history: 48 y.o. man with suspected abdominal paraganglioma. PET/CT findings: intense uptake of the tracer in the abdominal paraganglioma and in a left paratracheal lesion showed in MIP (a), CT and fused images (b and c). Surgery confirmed two paraganglioma lesions

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Fig. 41
figure41

18F-FDOPA, pheochromocytoma. Clinical history: 45 y.o. man with resistant hypertension. Clinical suspicion of phaeochromocytoma. PET/CT findings: intense uptake of the tracer in the right adrenal gland in MIP (a), which is enlarged on CT (b) and fused images (c). Surgery confirmed presence of phaeochromocytoma

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Fig. 42
figure42

18F-FDOPA, neuroblastoma. Clinical history: 6 months old girl with neuroblastoma, stage IV at presentation. PET/CT findings: intense uptake of the tracer in multiple metastases in the liver and bones, in particular sphenoid and left humerus, seen on MIP (a), CT (b), and fused images (c)

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Fig. 43
figure43

18F-FDOPA, carcinoid. Clinical history: 45 y.o. man with suspected right lung carcinoid. PET/CT findings: intense tracer uptake in the right lung and in multiple bone and soft tissue lesions seen on MIP (a) and fused images (b)

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18F-DOPA is used in the detection of neuroendocrine tumours. It is the PET tracer of choice for recurrence detection in patients with medullary thyroid cancer and may play a role in the management of patients with pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. 18F-DOPA PET/CT is also used in recurrent glioma (Kratochwil et al. 2017; Chondrogiannis et al. 2013; Soussan et al. 2012; Amodru et al. 2018).

5-HTP

Names: [11C] 5-hydroxytryptophan; 11C-HTP

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 44)

Fig. 44
figure44

Physiological biodistribution of 11C 5-HTP

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11C-HTP is taken up into neuroendocrine tumours cells by L-large amino acid transporter followed by decarboxylation to serotonin. The resulting end-product is then transported into storage vesicles through the vesicular monoamine transporter as well as went through the metabolic pathway of serotonin (Addeo et al. 2018; Piccardo et al. 2012).

Scan acquisition

• No special diet is required

• 370 MBq of 11C-HTP iv

• Uptake time 1 h

Clinical indications in oncology (Fig. 45)

Fig. 45
figure45

11C 5-HTP NET of the pancreas, staging. Clinical history: 65 y.o. woman with pancreatic NET, metastatic to liver. PET/CT findings: MIP (a) showing multiple sites of intense tracer accumulation in the upper abdomen. Fused images of PET with diagnostic CT (b, e), PET only (c, f), and CT only (d, g) showing intense tracer accumulation in a lesion in the cauda of the pancreas, with vague contrast enhancement and a calcification on the CT as well as in liver metastases (b–d)

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11C-HTP is used in the detection of neuroendocrine tumours. Since the uptake is related to the serotonergic pathway, 11C-HTP is a possible alternative to 68Ga-DOTA-peptide or 18F-DOPA (Neels et al. 2006).

Somatostatin analogues

Names: [68Ga] (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N, N′, N″, N‴-tetraacetic acid)-1- (d)-Phe1-Thy3-octreotate (DOTATATE)- (d)-Phe1-Thy3-octreotide (DOTATOC)- NaI3-octreotide (DOTANOC)

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 46)

Fig. 46
figure46

Physiological bio-distribution of 68Ga-DOTA peptide. Spleen and liver are the organs with the higher uptake of 68Ga-DOTA peptide. Patterns of increased physiological uptake in the uncinate process of the pancreas (yellow marker): a no uptake, b mild diffuse uptake, c intense diffuse uptake, d intense focal uptake, e diffuse and inhomogeneous uptake

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Synthetic somatostatin peptides show long biological half-life and stronger and more specific affinity for somatostatin receptors available on the cellular surface of neuroendocrine tumours. DOTATATE, DOTATOC, and DOTANOC have different affinities for receptor subtypes (Kroiss et al. 2013; Bergeret et al. 2019).

Scan acquisition

• No special diet is required

• 2–3 MBq\Kg of 68Ga-DOTA-Peptide iv

• Uptake time 1 h

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65)

Fig. 47
figure47

68Ga-DOTA peptide, follow-up of NET, comparison 68Ga-DOTANOC, 68Ga-DOTATATE. Clinical history: 68 y.o. woman with midgut NET and liver metastases treated with octreotide. PET/CT findings: 68Ga-DOTANOC (a) and 68Ga-DOTATATE (b) performed 8 months apart show similar uptake in the metastatic lesions, but due to the higher liver 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake, more metastases are identified in the 68Ga-DOTANOC study

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Fig. 48
figure48

68Ga-DOTA peptide, suspected lesion of the pancreas, specificity. Clinical history: 50 y.o. woman; a hypervascular lesion in the pancreas was incidentally found on CT (a). PET/CT findings: focal area of high expression of somatostatin receptor analogues in the pancreas corresponding to the CT finding (b MIP, c fused). Surgery confirmed the presence of a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumour (Ki67 2%)

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Fig. 49
figure49

68Ga-DOTA peptide, suspected lesion of the pancreas, false negative. Clinical history: 48 y.o. man with lesion in the pancreatic body (a MRI). Clinical suspicion of insulinoma (hypoglycaemias). PET/CT findings: no uptake in the lesion (b MIP, c CT, PET, and fused images). The patient underwent surgery, which confirmed the presence of an insulinoma (frequently false negative with 68Ga-DOTA peptide)

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Fig. 50
figure50

68Ga-DOTA peptide, suspected lesion of the liver, specificity. Clinical history: 52 y.o. male with an incidental detection of a single liver lesion in the left lobe. The lesion is suspect to be a metastasis on ultrasound and CT from an unknown primary site. PET/CT findings: increased focal uptake in a loop of the ileum, suspect to be a primary tumour. Increased uptake in the left liver lobe consistent with a secondary lesion (a MIP, b CT and fused images). After surgery, the lesions were diagnosed to be a well-differentiated NET grade 1 (Ki67 2%)

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Fig. 51
figure51

68Ga-DOTA peptide, staging of endobronchial carcinoid tumour, specificity. Clinical history: 33 y.o. man. Persistent cough and wheezing not responsive to bronchodilators. CT showed endobronchial node in left main bronchus. Bronchoscopy biopsy: NET. PET/CT findings: uptake in node protruding into the left main bronchus (a MIP, b CT and fused images). Focal uptake in the left adrenal gland (c). MRI confirmed the presence of an adrenal adenoma

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Fig. 52
figure52

68Ga-DOTA peptide, staging of NET lung primary, comparison with FDG. Clinical history: 65 y.o. man. Staging of a lung mass with FDG PET and biopsy indicated a moderately differentiated NET (grade 2, Ki67 8%). Consequently, the patient underwent a second PET using 68Ga-DOTANOC to stage the disease more accurately. PET/CT findings: increased focal uptake in FDG PET in the right lung, without any other findings (a MIP). 68Ga-DOTANOC showed intense uptake in the lung and in the thyroid due to a known De Quervain thyroiditis (b MIP)

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Fig. 53
figure53

68Ga-DOTA peptide, staging NET of the pancreas, comparison with FDG. Clinical history: 68 y.o. man with moderately differentiated multi-metastatic NET of pancreas (Ki67 8%). PET/CT findings: 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT shows intense pathologic uptake of somatostatin receptor analogue by the known pancreatic tumour, as well as in lymph nodes, multiple liver lesions, and previously unknown bone lesions (a). FDG-PET/CT confirms pathologic uptake of the tracer in pancreas and lymph nodes and in some of the known liver and bone lesions (b)

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Fig. 54
figure54

68Ga-DOTA peptide, NET of the pancreas, suspicion of relapse, comparison with FDG. Clinical history: 63 y.o. man with known well differentiated pancreatic NET (Ki67:2%); routine follow-up CT detected a suspicious lesion in the liver (a); PET/CT was requested to restage the patient. PET/CT findings: 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT shows only physiological uptake of somatostatin receptor analogue (b MIP and fused PET/CT). FDG-PET/CT shows a mild pathologic uptake of the tracer in the liver and confirms liver involvement (c MIP and fused PET/CT)

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Fig. 55
figure55

68Ga-DOTA peptide, staging NET of the pancreas, sensitivity. Clinical history: 60 y.o. man. Incidental finding of a NET of the pancreas grade 2 (Ki67 5%). PET/CT findings: multiple areas of increased tracer uptake in the pancreas, liver, and abdominal lymph nodes (a MIP). Note the uptake in a left supraclavicular lymph node 5 mm in size (b CT and fused images)

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Fig. 56
figure56

68Ga-DOTA peptide, restaging after surgery for lung carcinoid, specificity. Clinical history: 60 y.o. man; restaging after surgery for lung carcinoid. PET/CT findings: focal increased 68Ga-DOTATOC uptake in a benign rib fracture (a MIP, b PET and fused PET/CT, blue marker)

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Fig. 57
figure57

68Ga-DOTA peptide, suspicion of NET, specificity. Clinical history: 17 y.o. boy with known Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Increased level of pancreatic polypeptide. PET/CT findings: 68Ga-DOTANOC PET shows an intramedullary focus of increased uptake at the level of T8 (a MIP, b PET and fused PET/CT), corresponding to a hemangioblastoma

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Fig. 58
figure58

68Ga-DOTA peptide, follow-up of midgut NET, specificity. Clinical history: 69 y.o. woman with NET treated by surgery the year before. Right upper lobe lung adenocarcinoma treated by chemo- and radiation therapy 4 years prior. PET/CT findings: in addition to multifocal recurrent disease (a MIP), 68Ga-DOTANOC PET shows moderately increased uptake in the previously irradiated lung parenchyma (b)

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Fig. 59
figure59

68Ga-DOTA peptide, staging NET of the pancreas, sensitivity. Clinical history: 54 y.o. man with known pancreatic NET, candidate for surgery. PET/CT findings: very high uptake in the known pancreatic lesion and as well as in previously unknown lymph nodes and bone lesions (a MIP, b CT and fused imaging)

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Fig. 60
figure60

68Ga-DOTA peptide, suspected NET of the pancreas, false positive (inflammation), compared with FDG. Clinical history: 65 y.o. man with suspected NET of the pancreas. PET/CT findings: FDG: there is no significant uptake in the pancreas. Intense symmetric uptake in mediastinal lymph nodes (a MIP). 68Ga-DOTANOC: there is increased symmetrical uptake in mediastinal lymph nodes but no significant uptake in the pancreas (b MIP)

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Fig. 61
figure61

68Ga-DOTA peptide, suspected recurrence of paraganglioma. Clinical history: 39 y.o. man with a previous history of paragangliomas. During follow-up CT suspected a relapse in the thorax. PET/CT findings: intense focal uptake in a para-caval round shaped lesion (a MIP, b CT and fused PET/CT) consistent with a paraganglioma

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Fig. 62
figure62

68Ga-DOTA peptide, staging medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Clinical history: 70 y.o. man with newly diagnosed MTC. Suspicion of distant metastases on CT. PET/CT findings: moderately increased uptake in the known tumour (a MIP, b CT, PET, and fused imaging). No other suspicious lesions are seen

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Fig. 63
figure63

68Ga-DOTA peptide, recurrent medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Clinical history: 56 y.o. man with previous history of MTC, treated by surgery. Progressive increase in calcitonin (TCT = 19200). PET/CT findings: increased uptake in cervical LN (a) and bone lesion (b right scapula). Additional hepatic metastases are seen on the diagnostic CT, but due to the high background they are not evident on PET images (c)

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Fig. 64
figure64

68Ga-DOTA peptide, meningioma. Clinical history: 70 y.o. man with meningioma of the skull basis. PET/CT findings: 68Ga-DOTATATE shows highly increased uptake in the right sphenoidal bone area with an extension to the orbital cavity, corresponding to the meningioma (a CT; d, h MRI; d, e, i PET; c fused PET/CT; f, j fused PET and MRI)

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Fig. 65
figure65

68Ga-DOTA peptide, meningioma. Clinical history: 57 y.o. woman with history of a NET of the tail of the pancreas (grade 1) treated with surgery. Suspect relapse in a peripancreatic lymph node. PET/CT findings: increased uptake in a peripancreatic lymph node consistent with relapse (a MIP). Intense uptake in a large lesion in the base of the cranium consistent with a meningioma (b CT and fused imaging)

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In the management of NETs 68Ga-DOTA-conjugated peptide, PET/CT is used to localise primary tumours and detect sites of metastatic disease (staging); follow-up patients with known disease to detect residual, recurrent or progressive disease (restaging); determine somatostatin status; monitor response to therapy; and select patients with metastatic disease for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (Skoura et al. 2016; Sundin 2018; Singh et al. 2018; Waseem et al. 2019).

FMISO

Names: 1-(2-Nitro-imidazolyl)-3-[18F] fluoro-2-propanol; 18F-FMISO

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 66)

Fig. 66
figure66

Physiological bio-distribution of 18F-FMISO (similar to the physiological biodistribution of 18F-FAZA)

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Nitro-group are postulated to undergo reduction in hypoxic condition (pO2 ≤ 2–3 mmHg), forming highly reactive oxygen radicals that subsequently bind covalently to macromolecules inside the cells (Visser et al. 2014; Orlefors et al. 2005).

18F-FMISO is relatively hydrophilic and diffuses across cell membranes, showing a passive distribution in normal tissues, resulting in slow clearance kinetics and a high lipophilicity, resulting in substantially high background.

Scan acquisition

• Fasting for at least 2 h

• 6 MBq\Kg of 18F-FMISO iv

• Uptake time 3–4 h

Clinical indications in oncology (Fig. 67)

Fig. 67
figure67

18F-FMISO, characterisation of a brain lesion and comparison to 11C-methionine. Clinical history: 15 y.o. boy. High-grade glioblastoma, sub-totally removed and treated with radiotherapy. MRI: persistence of expansive lesion in thalamic area (a). PET/CT findings: 11C-methionine shows peripheral uptake in the right thalamus tumour, probably related to residual viable tumour or relapse despite its low intensity (b). 18F-FMISO PET/CT showed hypoxic area in previously methionine uptake described lesion (c), suggesting a relapse

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PET-CT with 18F-FMISO is a non-invasive method for detecting and characterising hypoxia in several tumours. Ischemia in tumours is associated with a poor prognosis, increased invasion rate, metastasis, and resistance to chemo- and radiation therapy (Institute NC 2013; Nehmeh et al. 2008; Gagel et al. 2006; Hirata et al. 2012; Lin et al. 2008; Lopci et al. 2014; Reischl et al. 2007; Wack et al. 2015).

FAZA

Names: 1-(5-[18F] Fluoro-5-deoxy-α-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-Nitroimidazole; 18F-FAZA

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 66)

F-18 FAZA is a 2-nitroimidazole compound (reduced in hypoxic cellular media) with a sugar addition moiety showing more water solubility and better pharmacokinetics compared to 18F-FMISO (Zips et al. 2012; Bollineni et al. 2013; Bollineni et al. 2014).

Scan acquisition

• No special diet is required

• 370 MBq of 18F-FAZA iv

• Uptake time 2 h

Clinical indications in oncology (Fig. 68)

Fig. 68
figure68

18F-FAZA, therapy evaluation of a brain lesion. PET/CT findings: four FAZA-PET-CT scans made at different weeks prior (week 0) and during (week 1, 2, and 4) the course of chemoradiation. The rainbow colours depict the amount of FAZA uptake. The light blue line depicts the extent of the primary tumour situated in the base of tongue. The green lines depict the extent of the parotid glands (left and right). Note that in week 2 and 4 no increased FAZA uptake is visible any more, demonstrating that the hypoxic area in week 0 and 1 disappeared

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The indications are similar to 18F-FMISO (Reischl et al. 2007; Wack et al. 2015; Zips et al. 2012).

NAF

Names: [18F]-Sodium fluoride; 18F-NaF

Biodistribution and metabolism (Fig. 69)

Fig. 69
figure69

Physiological biodistribution of 18F-NaF

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Fluoride ions are deposited in the bone matrix and reflect: bone remodelling and blood flow. The target organ is bone, but approximately 20% is excreted through the kidney in the urine in the first 1-2 h (Bruine de Bruin et al. 2015; Beheshti et al. 2015).

Scan acquisition

• No special diet is required but good hydration is important

• 50–200 MBq of 18F-NaF iv

• Uptake time 20–60 min

Clinical indications in oncology (Figs. 70 and 71)

Fig. 70
figure70

18F-NaF, breast cancer staging. Clinical history: 55 y.o. woman recently diagnosed with breast cancer (ductal adenocarcinoma, ER+, PR, and HER2 neg), asymptomatic. PET/CT findings: multiple foci of increased tracer uptake consistent with skeletal metastatic spread (a MIP). Note the heterogeneity of the CT appearance in this patient: some lesions are osteolytic (b), others are sclerotic (c) or do not show any CT anomaly (d)

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Fig. 71
figure71

18F-NaF, breast cancer restaging. Clinical history: 72 y.o. woman with history of breast cancer (infiltrating ductal carcinoma, ER+, PR, and HER2 neg). Diffuse bone pain, no evidence of bone metastases on bone scintigraphy (a anterior view). PET/CT findings: highly heterogeneous uptake in the cranium, spine, pelvic grid and femurs, consistent with bone marrow involvement (b MIP). MRI confirms multiple small sized lesions (c)

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The indications are those of 99mTc-labelled diphosphonate bone scintigraphy. 18F-NaF PET/CT is more sensitive than bone scintigraphy, for most indications. The choice of PET or SPECT depends on the availability of the radiopharmaceuticals, PET/CT devices, and costs (Lofgren et al. n.d.).

Conclusion

The constant growth of PET/CT including the increasing use of novel non-FDG PET/CT radiopharmaceuticals in cancer patients creates a need for training in the proper interpretation of complex imaging studies with compounds that have very different biodistribution, normal variants, and pitfalls. In addition, the use of several of these non-FDG PET radiopharmaceuticals, such as 68Ga-PSMA and 68Ga-DOTA peptides, constitutes an integral part of the evaluation of patients with cancer for theranostics. As this further increases the radiopharmaceuticals’ clinical relevance, there is also the need for accurate interpretation of non-FDG PET/CT studies.

Availability of data and materials

Yes (own data and materials)

Abbreviations

5-HTTP:

5-Hydroxytryptophan

BCR:

Biochemical recurrence

DOPA:

Dihydroxyphenylalanine

DOTANOC:

Tetraazacyclododecane-tetraacetic acid NaI3-octreotide

DOTATATE:

Tetraazacyclododecane-tetraacetic acid (d)-Phe1-Thy3-octreotate

DOTATOC:

Tetraazacyclododecane-tetraacetic acid (d)-Phe1-Thy3-octreotide

ER:

Oestrogen receptors

FAZA:

Fluorodeoxyarabinofuranosyl-nitroimidazole

FDG:

Fluorodeoxyglucose

FES:

Fluoroestradiol

FET:

Fluoroethyltyrosine

FLAIR:

Fluid attenuated inversion recovery

FLT:

Fluorothymidine

FMISO:

Fluoro-propanol-nitroimidazole

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

HER2:

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2

MBq:

Megabecquerel

MIBI:

Methoxyisobutylisonitrile

MIP:

Maximum intensity projection

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

MTC:

Medullary thyroid cancer

NAF:

Sodium fluoride

NET:

Neuroendocrine tumours

NSCLC:

Non-small cell lung cancer

PET/CT:

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography

PR:

Progesterone receptor

PSAdt:

Prostate-specific antigen doubling time

PSMA:

Prostate-specific antigen

PSMA:

Prostate-specific membrane antigen

SPECT:

Single-photon emission computed tomography

TTR:

Time to relapse

y.o.:

Years old

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Acknowledgements

The authors are very grateful to Pr Ora Israel and Dr Sugitha Sureshkumar for their suggestions and careful and meticulous reading of the paper.

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  1. Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria

    Francesco Giammarile, Enrique Estrada Lobato, Amirreza Jalilian, Olivier Pellet & Diana Paez

  2. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138, Bologna, Italy

    Paolo Castellucci

  3. Medical Imaging Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Rudi Dierckx

  4. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bolzano Hospital, Bolzano, Italy

    Mohsen Farsad

  5. Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Liège, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Roland Hustinx

  6. Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular (CUDIM), Montevideo, Uruguay

    Susana Rossi

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  1. Francesco Giammarile
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  2. Paolo Castellucci
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Giammarile, F., Castellucci, P., Dierckx, R. et al. Non-FDG PET/CT in Diagnostic Oncology: a pictorial review. European J Hybrid Imaging 3, 20 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41824-019-0066-2

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Keywords

  • PET/CT
  • Non-FDG
  • Pictorial