▲Professor Sangwon Han is performing an 18F-FES PET scan on a patient suspicious for metastatic breast cancer

The 18F-Fluorestradiol (FES) PET (Positron Emission Tomography), a diagnostic imaging tool for breast cancer, has been studied by a team at Asan Medical Center, composed of Professor Dae Hyuk Moon and Professor Sangwon Han from the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Professor Sung-Bae Kim from the Division of Oncology, and Professor Jong Won Lee from the Division of Breast Surgery. Recently, it was included in the guidelines of NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, U.S.), a leading authority in global cancer treatment standards.

The 18F-FES PET examination involves a PET scan conducted after injecting 18F-FES. This drug can measure the biological activity of the female estrogen receptor, providing an accurate diagnosis of female hormone receptors in breast cancer. The procedure takes approximately fifteen minutes and is painless, reducing the burden of undergoing a biopsy.

▲Professor Sung-Bae Kim is consulting a patient with recurrent breast cancer

Almost 70% of breast cancer patients in South Korea have hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, necessitating antihormonal therapy due to the role of hormones in cancer cell growth. In the event of relapse or metastasis, a biopsy is also required, as the treatment approach is determined based on the results of the female hormone receptor diagnosis. However, performing a biopsy may become difficult or even impossible in cases involving multiple metastatic sites or depending on the location of metastasis. The 18F-FES PET examination has been recommended as one of the standard diagnostic tests to be employed in such circumstances.

Professor Dae Hyuk Moon stated, “We will continue to lead global research aimed at increasing the survival rate of cancer patients and providing them with customized treatment.”