Can calcified pulmonary metastases detected by (18)F-FDG PET/CT suggest the primary tumor?

Abstract

Many calcified nodules are encountered on the (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan and even though most of them are benign, the possibility of calcified pulmonary metastases (CPM) should be considered. The CT portion can often differentiate benign diseases due to their morphology. Measuring SUVmax is very important. Understanding the mechanism of calcification in malignant metastatic pulmonary lesions may be useful to suggest their origin.