The diagnostic hurdle of an elderly male with bone pain: how 18F-FDG-PET led to diagnosis of a leiomyosarcoma of the adrenal gland

H. van Laarhoven, M. Vinken, R. Mus, U. Flucke, W. Oyen and W. der Van Graaf

Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands. h.vanlaarhoven@onco.umcn.nl
Feb, 2009

Abstract

It is uncommon for patients to present with bone metastases while the primary tumor is still unknown. The case of a patient with bone metastases as primary presentation of leiomyosarcoma, who was diagnosed after a 18F-FDG PET-CT and a CT-guided biopsy of the adrenal gland is described. If after routine physical, laboratory and radiological investigations no diagnosis can be made, 18F-FDG PET should be added to the conventional work-up of patients with unknown primary cancer. In this way, unnecessary and enduring suffering of symptomatic patients may be prevented.