Leopardlike PET Pattern and Sarcoidlike Reaction - Takeaways - MDSpire

Leopardlike PET Pattern and Sarcoidlike Reaction

A rare but often favorable immune-related adverse event associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors can mimic cancer progression on imaging and typically resolves with conservative management.

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • January 9, 2026

  • 3 min

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  • 1

    A distinctive leopardlike PET pattern indicated a drug-induced sarcoidosislike reaction in a patient on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

  • 2

    The patient, a 52-year-old woman, developed symptoms after 9 months of durvalumab therapy, initially raising concerns for cancer progression.

  • 3

    Biopsies confirmed non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, distinguishing the reaction from true malignancy.

  • 4

    Sarcoidosislike reactions occur in about 4% of patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors and often correlate with favorable outcomes.

  • 5

    The patient's symptoms and imaging abnormalities resolved completely within 3 months without systemic corticosteroids.

Original Source(s)

Leopardlike PET Pattern and Sarcoidlike Reaction

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • January 9, 2026

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