Fluoro-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography scans in a patient with penile cancer for appropriate therapeutic strategy

In patients with penile cancer, positron emission tomography (PET) is important for identifying metastatic lesions and for therapeutic strategy planning. By using PET/computerised tomography -CT scanning, more precise localization and attenuation correction is provided by CT as an additional advantage for diagnosis. A 78-year-old man with squamous cell cancer of the glans penis diagnosed after histopathological examination was referred to our Nuclear Medicine Department PET/CT unit by the Urology Department of our Hospital, for investigation of metastases and for therapeutic strategy planning. There was significantly increased focal fluoro-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) activity (SUV: 18.2) in the glans penile area and slightly increased activity in the right inguinal region which was described as inflammation by the histopathological examination. There was no other increased abnormal 18F-FDG activity. 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT may be used in squamous cell cancer of the penis for the detection of metastases and for therapeutic strategy planning. Finally, invasive procedures such as total bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy, having a high morbidity, may be avoided.