FDG PET Imaging of Signet-Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach

Abstract

A 40-year-old man experiencing early satiety, a 25-lb weight loss, and intermittent nausea underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which demonstrated an ulcerated mass of the stomach extending from 43 cm to 53 cm from the incisors occupying the gastroesophageal junction, gastric cardia, fundus, and body. A biopsy of the gastric body showed diffuse infiltration of the lamina propria by poorly differentiated signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography demonstrated minimally increased FDG uptake relative to normal tissues. Further study to determine the use of FDG PET in the evaluation of patients with gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma is warranted.