Bioscientia Medicina : Journal of Biomedicine and Translational Research
Vol. 9 No. 8 (2025): Bioscientia Medicina: Journal of Biomedicine & Translational Research

Unmasking the Primary: The Role of 99mTc-Sestamibi SPECT/CT in a Case of Carcinoma of Unknown Primary with Suspected Lung Origin

Jessica Ubercaprita (Unknown)
Endah Indriani Wahyono (Unknown)
Mas Adi Sunardi (Unknown)
Herry Herman (Unknown)
Bethy Suryawathy Hernowo (Unknown)
Basuki Hidayat (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
13 Jun 2025

Abstract

Background: Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is a challenging clinical diagnosis, representing histologically confirmed metastatic cancer where the primary tumor site remains unidentified after a standard diagnostic workup. While 18F-FDG PET/CT is recommended by current guidelines, its accessibility is limited in many regions. This report explores the diagnostic utility of Technetium-99m (99mTc)-Sestamibi Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) as a valuable alternative. Case presentation: A 67-year-old female presented with musculoskeletal pain. A biopsy of a right ulnar lesion confirmed metastatic carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) suggested a possible primary from the lung, breast, or upper gastrointestinal tract. Due to the unavailability of 18F-FDG PET/CT, a 99mTc-Sestamibi whole-body scan with SPECT/CT was performed. The scan identified a metabolically active, malignant-appearing nodule in segment 6 of the left lung and confirmed widespread skeletal metastases. Although a lung biopsy was not feasible due to limited access, the patient was treated with a lung cancer protocol. This resulted in significant clinical improvement. Conclusion: 99mTc-Sestamibi SPECT/CT served as a critical diagnostic tool in this case of CUP. It successfully identified a suspected pulmonary primary, enabling targeted therapy and leading to a positive clinical outcome. This case highlights the modality's efficacy as a tumor-seeking agent and underscores its essential role in the diagnostic armamentarium for CUP, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bsm

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Neuroscience

Description

This journal welcomes the submission of articles that offering a sensible transfer of basic research to applied clinical medicine. BioScientia Medicina covers the latest developments in various fields of biomedicine with special attention to : 1.Rhemumatology 2.Molecular aspect of Indonesia ...