This 41-year old female with a history of breast cancer presented for evaluation of rising serum tumor markers and a solitary T-spine abnormality on bone scan. A CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis was interpreted as normal.

PET scan confirmed a T-spine metastasis (arrow). Additionally, the PET scan demonstrated a nodal metastasis in the right lung (curved arrow) and marrow infiltration by breast cancer in the pelvis (arrow heads).

Repeat PET scans at three and eight months following initiation of chemotherapy showed resolution of the thoracic abnormalities and eventually regression of the tumor infiltration in the pelvic bone marrow. The chemotherapy regimen was continued based upon the strong evidence of efficacy provided by PET scanning. The patient's tumor markers have remained normal for 6-months. In this patient, PET scanning completely identified the full extent of metastatic disease. It provided objective evidence of breast cancer response to chemotherapy and helped guide her course of therapy.