What is hypermetabolic nodes?

Hypermetabolic nodes refer to the lymph node's regions that demonstrate increased metabolic activity. These regions are commonly associated with the spread or metastasis of cancer. Hypermetabolic nodes appear as areas with increased uptake of radioactive tracers, such as fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), on positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

PET-CT scans are routinely used in oncology to assess the presence, location, and extent of cancerous lesions throughout the body. In particular, hypermetabolic nodes are of interest as they can indicate the spread of cancer to the lymphatic system. Cancer cells that have metastasized to lymph nodes can exhibit increased metabolic activity, leading to higher FDG uptake and thus appearing as hypermetabolic nodes on PET-CT scans.

Identifying and evaluating hypermetabolic nodes can aid in staging the cancer, assessing the response to treatment, and guiding further treatment strategies. However, it's essential to note that not all hypermetabolic nodes necessarily represent cancerous lesions, and further diagnostic tests or procedures may be needed to confirm the nature of these findings.