A study using PET-CT scans to detect thyroid cancer and salivary gland cancer
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This study looked at using PET-CT scans to detect thyroid cancer.
It was open for people to join between 2015 and 2017. The team published the results in 2017.
More about this trial
When this study was done, doctors often used a 
to help detect thyroid cancers. Researchers hoped that PET-CT scans may be better.
Before you have a PET-CT scan you have a radioactive dye (tracer). This helps give a clearer picture.
The study team thought that a new tracer called 18F tetrafluoroborate (BF4) would be good to use to scan for thyroid cancer. But they needed to check that it was safe to use first, before they can see how well it works.
In this study everyone had the BF4 radioactive tracer and several PET-CT scans.
The main aims of this study were to:
- find out how well the radioactive tracer is taken up by thyroid cancer
- check that the tracer is safe to use
Summary of results
The research team found that the BF4 tracer was safe to use and may help to detect thyroid cancer.
Study design
The 5 people who joined this study all had and were due to have surgery and radioactive iodine treatment.
They had an injection of the BF4 tracer to begin with. Over the next 4 hours they:
- had 9 PET scans and 3 low dose CT scans
- gave 11 blood samples
- gave several urine samples
The researchers measured the amount of BF4 tracer in the blood and urine samples. And looked at the scans to see which organs of the body had taken up the most BF4.
The research team also monitored everyone’s:
- blood pressure
- pulse
- heart rhythm
- temperature
- breathing rate
Results
The results showed that the amount of BF4 tracer in the thyroid gland was highest 30 minutes after the injection.
The thyroid gland, salivary glands and stomach took up the most tracer. And the brain and liver took up least tracer.
The research team found that the quality of the image was very good. Thyroid cancer cells take up less tracer than healthy thyroid tissue. So any areas of cancer appeared less dense on the scan.
Side effects
No one taking part had any side effects from the tracer. No one had any significant changes in blood pressure, pulse, heart rhythm, temperature or breathing rate.
Conclusion
The research team concluded that 18F tetrafluoroborate (BF4) is safe to use as a tracer for PET-CT scans. And that the quality of the images was very good.
They suggest more work is done to find out how useful these scans are for detecting and managing thyroid cancer.
Where this information comes from
We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team who did the research. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Professor Valerie Lewington
Supported by
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
King's College London
Kings Health Partners
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Wellcome Trust
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
