To study the efficacy of thallium-201 as tumor seeking agent and to study its role in therapeutic response

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2017
Source:Medical Journal Armed Forces India
Author(s): A.V.S. Anil Kumar, P.G. Kumar, Sangeetha Sampath, V. Suhag
BackgroundTumour seeking characteristics of TL-201 have been underutilized. The study was undertaken to evaluate the role of TL-201 scintigraphy in tumour imaging.MethodsA total of 50 cases were studied over a period of 18 months (13 lymphomas, 11 breast carcinoma, 10 lung cancer, 6 of soft tissue sarcoma, 2 bone tumours and 4 cases each of thyroid and brain tumours). Thallium-201 chloride was injected IV in the dose range of 3–5mCi. Imaging was done using Siemen's ECAM dual headed gamma camera. Mean tumour to background ratio (T/B ratio) was calculated for all the positive cases. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out.ResultsFindings revealed a sensitivity of 94.12%, specificity 87.5%, PPV 94.12%, NPV 87.50% and accuracy of 92% for TL-201 tumour imaging. The mean T/B ratio for the true positive cases at 10min and at 3h was 1.81 and 1.99 respectively, the difference being 0.18 (P value <0.001). Amongst them, the mean T/B ratios for low-grade tumours were 1.45±0.32 at 10min and 1.63±0.38 after 3h with difference of 0.176 (P<0.001). For the high-grade tumours the ratios were 2.08±0.35 and 2.26±0.41 respectively with a difference of 0.186 (P<0.001).ConclusionThallium-201 scintigraphy is a useful tumour imaging modality in cases of thyroid, breast, brain, lung, soft tissue and bone tumours and lymphomas. A T/B ratio of 1.63±0.38 in 3h-delayed imaging is suggestive of low-grade tumours. For high-grade tumours a ratio of 2.26±0.41 should be considered significant.



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