18FDG SUV值对直肠癌预后预测价值的探讨

目的:探讨直肠癌术前18FDG PET/CT标准摄取值(SUV)及临床病理特征与预后的关系.方法:应用单因素和多因素分析方法,对进行根治性切除术前行18FDG PET/CT检查的44例直肠癌患者的PET/CT SUV值及临床病理特征与5年生存率的相关性进行研究.结果:44例直肠癌患者5年总生存率为61.3%.单因素分析显示,患者的年龄、肿瘤浸润深度、有无淋巴结转移、术前18FDG PET/CT SUV值及血清癌胚抗原是影响患者预后的主要因素.应用Cox比例危险回归模型分析显示,肿瘤的浸润深度、淋巴结转移和18FDG SUV值是影响直肠癌患者的独立预后因素.结论:18FDG SUV是影响直肠癌患者预后的重要指标之一,可为临床判断直肠癌患者预后提供有效工具.     

神经/脉管浸润与结直肠癌临床病理特征及预后的相关分析

目的 神经/脉管浸润对于结直肠癌患者的预后具有一定的影响,但尚未达成共识.本研究探讨神经/脉管浸润与结直肠癌临床病理特征的相关性及其对患者预后的影响.方法 收集2010-01-01-2011-12-31,在新疆医科大学附属肿瘤医院行根治性手术切除,并经病理确诊的226例结直肠癌患者的临床病理资料.根据是否有神经/脉管浸润分为神经/脉管浸润组(PVG) 42例和非神经/脉管浸润组(nPVG) 184例.统计分析2组患者的临床病理因素特点及预后.结果 单因素分析显示,肿瘤大小、浸润深度、淋巴结转移和TNM分期与结直肠癌神经/脉管浸润具有相关性,均P＜0.05;多因素Logistic回归分析显示,肿瘤大小和浸润深度与神经/脉管浸润密切相关,均P＜0.05;Kaplan-Meier法单因素分析显示,年龄、浸润深度、淋巴结转移、TNM分期及神经/脉管浸润与患者生存率具有相关性,均P＜0.01.PVG与nPVG组患者的3年总生存率分别为54.5％和84.7％,差异有统计学意义,x2=12.806,P＜0.001;3年无病生存率分别为42.3％和73.7％,差异有统计学意义,x2=13.629,P＜0.001.多因素Cox回归分析显示,浸润深度和神经/脉管浸润与结直肠癌患者的生存率密切相关,均P＜0.05.结论 肿瘤大小和浸润深度是影响结直肠癌神经/脉管浸润的独立危险因素;浸润深度和神经/脉管浸润是结直肠癌患者预后的独立影响因素.     

淋巴结转移阴性结直肠癌的临床病理特点及预后多因素分析

目的探讨淋巴结转移阴性结直肠癌的临床病理特点及其预后因素,为临床治疗提供依据.方法以我院1996至1999年间施行结直肠癌根治手术,检取5个以上淋巴结均无转移的247例患者为研究对象,总结临床病理特点;采用Kaplan-Meier法进行单因素分析,COX比例风险模型进行多因素分析,判定淋巴结转移阴性结直肠癌的独立预后因素.结果淋巴结转移阴性结直肠癌浸润深度较浅,肿瘤小,血清CEA值低.5年生存率为73.8%(175/237).结论淋巴结转移阴性结直肠癌施行根治术后预后较好,浸润深度和术前血清CEA值是其独立预后因素.     

全直肠系膜切除术后直肠癌患者的预后分析

背景与目的：全直肠系膜切除术（total mesorectal excision,TME）能够显著降低直肠癌的局部复发率,改善患者预后。本研究回顾性分析1056例行根治性TME术的直肠癌病例的临床病理特征及其与预后的关系。方法：收集1990—2003年接受根治性TME术的1056例直肠癌的病例资料,建立数据库。用单因素分析和多因素分析的方法研究20项临床病理指标对接受根治性TME术的直肠癌患者预后的影响。结果：本组总体的3年、5年及10年生存率分别为84．9％（95％CI,83．8％～86．0％）、73．8％（95％CI,72．4％～75．2％）及65．1％（95％CI,63．4％～66．8％）。单因素分析显示,术前血清CEA水平和CA19．9水平、术前合并肠梗阻或穿孔、肿瘤大体类型、肿瘤组织类型、病理分级、肠壁浸润深度、淋巴结转移情况以及初治时间是直肠癌患者TME术后预后的影响因子。Cox比例危险回归模型多因素分析显示,淋巴结转移情况、组织类型、手术方式以及浸润深度是预后的独立影响因素。结论：淋巴结转移情况、组织类型、手术方式以及肠壁浸润深度可作为判断直肠癌患者预后的参考指标。     

384例男性直肠癌患者预后因素分析

背景与目的:中国结直肠癌发病率逐年上升,其中直肠癌所占比例超过50%,尤以中低位直肠癌多见。男性患者由于盆腔的解剖特点,在治疗方式的选择、保肛比例及预后方面均有其自身的特点。本研究旨在探讨男性直肠癌患者临床病理特征及其与预后的关系。方法:选择年龄、病程、首发症状、肿瘤部位、肿瘤大小、肿瘤占肠腔周径比例、肿瘤大体类型、组织类型、肠壁浸润深度、Dukes@分期、淋巴结转移位置及术式等12项临床病理指标,用单因素和多因素分析的方法研究其对384例男性直肠癌患者预后的影响。结果:单因素分析显示,肿瘤部位、肿瘤大体类型、组织类型、肿瘤浸润肠壁深度、淋巴结转移位置及Dukes@分期为影响预后的因素。Cox比例危险回归模型多因素分析显示,仅组织类型及淋巴结转移位置为男性直肠癌患者预后的独立影响因素。结论:组织类型及淋巴结转移位置为男性直肠癌预后的独立影响因素。     

Dukes C期结直肠癌根治术后复发转移因素的Logistic回归分析

目的:探讨Dukes C期结直肠癌根治术后复发转移的相关因素。方法:应用Logistic回归分析方法，对235例结直肠癌根治术后患者的临床病理资料，进行单因素和多因素回顾分析。结果：单因素分析显示，患者性别、年龄、病程、肿瘤部位、肿瘤大体类型、肿瘤直径、肿瘤组织类型及肠壁浸润深度对结直肠癌术后复发转移无影响。单因素和多因素分析显示，淋巴结转移和肿瘤分化程度是影响结直肠癌术后复发转移的独立预后因素。结论：淋巴结转移(数目或部位)和肿瘤分化程度是影响Dukes C期结直肠癌术后复发转移最重要的独立因素，对于判断预后、指导术后治疗及随访方案的制订具有重要作用。     

直肠癌CD44V6和VEGF表达的临床意义

目的探讨CD44V6和VEGF在直肠癌肿瘤组织中的表达与直肠癌生物学特性的关系及其对预后的影响。方法采用免疫组织化学S—P法检测94例直肠癌肿瘤组织中CD44V6和VEGF的表达，并对随访10年以上的34例作生存分析。结果CD44V6和VEGF的表达与肿瘤的浸润程度、病理类型、淋巴结转移和Dukes分期密切相关，而与患者的性别、年龄及肿瘤大小无关。单因素Cox比例风险模型分析显示：患者的生存率与肿瘤浸润程度、病理类型、淋巴结转移、Dukes分期及CD44V6和VEGF的表达均有关；多因素Cox比例风险模型分析显示：Dukes分期、CD44V6和VEGF的表达对判定直肠癌的预后具有重要意义。结论CD44V6和VEGF在直肠癌肿瘤组织中的表达与直肠癌的发生、发展密切相关。CD44V6和VEGF阳性表达可作为直肠癌预后不良的指标。     

术前血清肿瘤标志物水平在直肠癌术前分期中的应用评价

[目的]探讨直肠癌术前血清肿瘤标志物水平与肿瘤浸润深度及淋巴结转移之间的关系,评价其在直肠癌术前分期中的应用价值。[方法]回顾性分析北京大学肿瘤医院178例行手术治疗直肠癌患者的术前血清肿瘤标志物（CEA、CA199、CA724、CA242）水平和临床病理资料。[结果]单因素分析结果表明直肠癌肿瘤浸润深度与术前CEA、CA242水平、肿瘤部位、最大径、大体类型、分化程度、淋巴结转移相关（P〈0.05）。淋巴结转移与肿瘤大体类型、分化程度、最大径、脉管癌栓、浸润深度相关（P〈0.05）。多因素分析表明直肠癌患者术前的CEA水平和肿瘤最大径是肿瘤浸润深度的独立危险因素;肿瘤浸润深度和脉管癌栓是淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。[结论]术前血清CEA水平是影响直肠癌术前T分期的重要因素,术前血清肿瘤标志物水平对直肠癌术前分期的应用价值有限。     

直肠癌合并肝转移的临床病理特征及预后分析

目的:探讨直肠癌合并肝转移的临床及病理危险因素,为其早期诊断及相关治疗提供参考.方法:回顾性分析494例直肠癌患者的临床及病理资料,根据术前检查或术中探查肝转移情况,进行单因素和多因素分析,分析性别、年龄、术前血清CEA水平、肿瘤部位、肿瘤大小、累及管径、组织类型、大体类型、病理分级、浸润深度、淋巴结转移、盆腹膜种植、Dukes分期及肝外转移等与肝转移的关系.结果:494例直肠癌,33例合并肝转移,占6.68%.单因素分析表明肿瘤大小、累及管径、浸润程度、病理分级、盆、腹膜种植、淋巴结转移、Dukes分期与合并肝转移有关.多因素Logistic回归分析显示淋巴结转移、Dukes分期为影响肝转移的独立因素.结论:淋巴结转移、Dukes分期为影响直肠癌肝转移的独立因素.     

结直肠癌的CT表现及其与临床病理分级、患者预后的关系

目的探讨结直肠癌的CT表现及其与临床病理参数、患者预后的关系。方法回顾性分析137例结直肠癌患者临床资料,所有患者均经手术病理证实,术前进行CT扫描,统计CT征象中肠壁增厚形式、强化程度、增强后低密度区、淋巴结位置、肠周浸润程度、肿瘤大小、淋巴结CT值、平均长径、平均短径,分析其与病理分级结果的关系,并对2组患者进行3年随访,比较生存组与死亡组患者CT征象差异。结果137例患者经病理结果证实包括Ⅰ级患者41例,Ⅱ级51例,Ⅲ级45例;Logisitic回归分析显示重度肠周浸润、肿瘤大小≥4 cm、淋巴结CT值≥30 HU、平均长径≥0.6 cm、平均短径≥0.45 cm是导致结直肠癌患者高病理分级的危险因素。137例患者3年随访期间内生存104例,死亡33例,3年总生存率为75.91%;Logisitic回归分析显示重度肠周浸润、肿瘤大小≥4 cm、淋巴结CT值≥30 HU、平均长径≥0.6 cm、平均短径≥0.45 cm是导致结直肠癌患者死亡的危险因素。结论CT检查可充分显示肿瘤内部状态以及其与相邻组织之间的关系,可判断肠周浸润程度、肿瘤大小、淋巴结CT值、平均长径、平均短径,对评价结直肠癌病理分级、患者预后具有重要价值。     

Role of FDG PET-CT in evaluation of locoregional nodal disease for initial staging of breast cancer

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is not indicated or recommended in the initial staging of early breast cancer. Although it is valuable for detecting distant metastasis, providing prognostic information, identifying recurrence and evaluating response to chemotherapy, the role of FDG PET/CT in evaluating locoregional nodal status for initial staging of breast cancer has not yet been well-defined in clinical practice. FDG PET/CT has high specificity but compromised sensitivity for identifying axillary nodal disease in breast cancer. Positive axillary FDG PET/CT is a good predictor of axillary disease and correlates well with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). FDG PET/CT may help to identify patients with high axillary lymph node burden who could then move directly to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and would not require the additional step of SLNB. However, FDG PET/CT cannot replace SLNB or ALND due to unsatisfactory sensitivity. The spatial resolution of PET instruments precludes the detection of small nodal metastases. Although there is still disagreement regarding the management of internal mammary node (IMN) disease in breast cancer, it is known that IMN involvement is of prognostic significance, and IMN metastasis has been associated with higher rates of distant metastasis and lower overall survival rates. Limited clinical observations suggested that FDG PET/CT has advantages over conventional modalities in detecting and uncovering occult extra-axillary especially IMN lesions with upstaging the disease and an impact on the adjuvant management.     

乳腺浸润性导管癌^（18）F-FDG摄取的影响因素分析

目的：探讨肿瘤大小、病理分级、有无淋巴结转移及病理分子标志物雌激素受体（ER）、孕激素受体（PR）、表皮生长因子受体（C-erbB-2）、p53抑癌基因（p53）及增殖细胞核抗原Ki67（Ki67）对乳腺浸润性导管癌18F-FDG摄取的影响。方法：37例病理证实乳腺浸润性导管癌术前18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax与术后病理免疫组化结果进行综合分析,采用Mann-Whitney U检验进行统计学分析。结果：病灶直径≥2.5cm、肿瘤高分化（III级）、淋巴结转移组平均SUVmax分别高于〈2.5cm、低分化（I-II级）及淋巴结未转移有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。ER（﹣）组18F-FDG摄取程度高于ER（﹢）组（P〈0.05）,Ki67（﹢）组18F-FDG摄取程度高于Ki67（﹣）组,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。而PR、C-erbB-2及p53对18F-FDG摄取影响不明显。结论：乳腺浸润性导管癌病灶大小、病理分级、有无淋巴结转移、ER、Ki67的表达影响18F-FDG摄取,18F-FDG PET/CT鉴别诊断及初步分期时应引起重视。     

A case of primary lung cancer lesion demonstrated by F-18 FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) one year after the detection of metastatic brain tumor

Cancer of unknown primary origin (CUP) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Metastatic brain tumors occur in approximately 15% of all cancer patients. F-18 2'-deoxy-2fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) contributes to the evaluation of cancer staging, although the benefits of PET/CT for detection of CUP origins has yet to be determined. In this study, we present a 37-year-old man with a brain tumor detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical biopsy indicated a metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma, while clinical examination and a CT scan did not detect any abnormalities, with the exception of brain metastases. PET/CT did not reveal abnormal FDG uptake. PET/CT revealed abnormal intense FDG uptake in a small nodular lesion in the right lung 1 year following the detection of brain metastasis, and no other abnormal FDG uptake was observed elsewhere in the body. Right upper lobectomy and dissection of mediastinal lymph nodes were performed. The pathological diagnosis was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was similar to the brain metastatic lesion, and there was no lymph node metastasis. This case revealed an extremely rare lung cancer with primary lesions demonstrated by PET/CT 1 year after the detection of brain metastasis. This case reveals that F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging of CUP origin is capable of positively impacting on the identification of small primary tumor foci.     

Clinicopathologic Significance of False-Positive Lymph Node Status on FDG-PET in Lung Cancer

Introduction2-[¹⁸F] Fluoro-d-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a relevant diagnostic procedure for staging lung cancer. However, accurate evaluation of lymph node metastases by PET is controversial because of false-positive FDG uptake.Patients and MethodsA total of 245 patients with lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Standardized maximum uptake values (SUV_max) of the primary tumor and lymph nodes were compared to pathologic lymph node metastases to correlate PET findings with clinicopathologic variables and patient outcomes.ResultsThe SUV_max values of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly higher than those of lymph nodes without metastases (P = .0036). When SUV_max ≥ 4 was defined as PET positive for metastasis, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 48.1%, 79.8%, and 73.1%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age > 75 years, bilateral hilar FDG uptake, and no lymph node swelling were significant factors related to false-positive lymph node metastases. Smoking status, FDG uptake in the primary tumor, and concurrent lung diseases were not significant factors.ConclusionMetastatic lymph nodes show higher FDG uptake than false-positive lymph nodes, and older patient age, bilateral hilar FDG uptake, and no swollen nodes are associated with no metastases. Patients with lymph node metastases have worse survival than those with false-positive FDG-PET findings. However, abnormal FDG uptake in the lymph node is an important prognostic factor.     

18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT) imaging in the staging and prognosis of inflammatory breast cancer

BACKGROUND:

To prospectively assess fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT) staging and prognosis value in patients with suspected inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).

METHODS:

Sixty‐two women (mean age 50.7 ± 11.4 years) presenting with unilateral inflammatory breast tumors (59 invasive carcinomas; 3 mastitis) underwent a PET/CT scan before biopsy.

RESULTS:

PET/CT scan was positive for the primary malignant tumor in 100% and false positive in 2 of 3 benign mastitis. In 59 IBC patients, FDG nodal foci were detected in axillary (90%; n = 53) and extra‐axillary areas (56%; n = 33) ipsilateral to the cancer. Compared with clinical examination, the axillary lymph node status by PET/CT was upstaged and downstaged in 35 and 5 patients, respectively. In 7 of 9 N0 patients, the axillary lymph node positivity on PET/CT was correct, as revealed by pathological postsurgery assessment (not available in the 2 remaining patients). The nodal foci were compared with preoperative fine needle aspiration and/or pathological postchemotherapy findings available in 44 patients and corresponded to 38 true positive, 4 false‐negative, and 2 false‐positive cases. In 18 of 59 IBC patients (31%), distant lesions were found. On the basis of a univariate analysis of the first enrolled patients (n = 42), among 28 patients who showed intense tumoral uptake (standard uptake value_max>5), the 11 patients with distant lesions had a worse prognosis than the 17 patients without distant lesions (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS:

FDG‐PET/CT imaging provides additional invaluable information regarding nodal status or distant metastases in IBC patients and should be considered in the initial staging. It seems also that some prognostic information can be derived from FDG uptake characteristics. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Accuracy of positron emission tomography in mediastinal node assessment in coal workers with lung cancer

The purpose of this study was to explore the accuracy of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the assessment of mediastinal lymph node in coal workers who had non-small cell lung cancer. We retrospectively reviewed 42 retired coal workers who had lung cancer without distant metastasis, between May 2007 and May 2010. Regarding the mediastinal lymph nodes, when the standard uptake value was greater than 2.5, it was considered “malignancy positive.” After histological examination of the mediastinal lymph nodes, anthracotic and metastatic ones were detected. The results of PET/CT were analyzed to determine its accuracy. Of these 42 patients, PET/CT detected 47 positive mediastinal lymph nodes in 24 patients with a mean SUV maximum of 6.2 (2.6–13.8). One hundred and thirty-one mediastinal lymph node foci were dissected. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of FDG-PET/CT in detecting nodal metastases were 84% (16/19), 65% (15/23), 66% (16/24), 83% (15/18), and 74% (31/42) on a per-patient basis, respectively. Mediastinal node staging with FDG-PET/CT in coal workers is insufficient due to the high false-positive rates due to the presence of pneumoconiosis. In these patients, an invasive technique such as mediastinoscopy seems mandatory for confirmation of ipsilateral or contralateral mediastinal lymph node metastasis.     

影响食管癌FDG摄取的临床因素探讨

目的：研究性别、年龄、病变长度、肿瘤浸润深度、以及淋巴结状况等因素对食管癌原发灶FDG摄取的影响。方法：收集2004年6月至2006年11月治疗前行FDG-PET/CT检查的食管鳞癌患者68例,根据术后病理确定其病变长度、浸润深度、以及淋巴结转移情况。分析性别、年龄、病变长度等因素对食管癌原发灶FDG摄取（SUVmax）的影响,并分析转移状态（无转移、局部淋巴结转移）、TNM分期与FDG摄取的相关性。结果：不同性别、不同年龄段食管癌患者的原发灶FDG摄取无明显差异。而病变长度影响FDG摄取：病变长度与其FDG摄取呈正相关（P=0.01）。不同TNM分期、不同转移状态间原发灶的FDG摄取也有显著性差异,浸润深度,淋巴结转移状态均与SUVmax呈正相关（P=0.000）。结论：食管癌原发灶FDG摄取与病变长度、TNM分期等因素有关,而不受性别和年龄影响关,键而词且FD食G管摄肿取瘤值较原高发还灶提示发已射经型有计淋算巴机结转脱移氧或葡分萄期糖较晚。     

18F-FDG PET/CT显像在肝脏恶性肿瘤的初步应用

目的：评价^18F-FDGPET／CT对于肝脏恶性肿瘤的诊断、分期及疗效评判的价值。方法：对55例肝脏恶性肿瘤患者的PET／CT检查资料进行回顾性分析。原发性肝细胞性肝癌（PHC）11例，胆管细胞性肝癌1例，转移性肝癌40例，白血病肝浸润1例，淋巴瘤肝浸润2例。其中原发性肝癌经手术或穿刺证实，继发性肝脏恶性肿瘤均有明确肿瘤病史或临床检查随访证实。所有患者均行双时相全身PET／CT显像检查。结果：低分化PHC4例及胆管细胞癌1例，^18F—FDG异常高摄取，延迟后大部分病灶^18F—FDG摄取SUVmax上升；高分化原发性肝癌7例，其中^18F-FDG等摄取5例，相对肝本底为略低摄取2例；9例PHC及1例胆管细胞癌CT表现为低密度灶，2例PHC为等密度，7例患者有肝炎肝硬化基础，另外同时发现肝外病灶6例。继发性肝脏恶性肿瘤43例（含淋巴瘤、白血病肝浸润）中PET／CT上共发现109个病灶；其中99个肝内病灶表现为^18F-FDG高摄取，31个病灶CT未显示，另外有2例患者有4个病灶经手术证实有肝内微小病灶而PET／CT未检出；而淋巴瘤、白血病肝浸润表现为大片状或弥漫性^18F—FDG明显异常高摄取；大部分患者改变了原有的治疗方案。结论：^18F-FDGPET／CT在肝脏恶性肿瘤诊断、分期、评价分化程度及治疗方案的选择有较好的临床价值，PET／CT诊断肝脏恶性肿瘤明显优于单纯PET。充分认识PET／CT在肝脏恶性肿瘤中的应用价值及局限性，有利于临床对肝脏恶性肿瘤的诊治。     

Pancreatic FDG uptake on follow-up PET/CT in patients with cancer

To evaluate the breakdown of unexpected pancreatic ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and the proportion of secondary primary pancreatic cancer on follow-up, patients with cancer underwent positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). The participants consisted of 4,473 consecutive patients with cancer who underwent follow-up PET/CT between January 2015 and March 2019 at Kochi Medical School. Among the participants, 225 with a history of pancreatic cancer were excluded from the present study. Retrospective and blinded PET/CT evaluations of 4,248 patients were performed. In patients with pancreatic FDG uptake, the distribution of FDG uptake in the pancreas was evaluated. The final diagnosis was determined pathologically. A total of 14 (0.3%) of the 4,248 patients exhibited FDG uptake in the pancreatic area. Pancreatic abnormalities were detected in 14 patients, and included five cases of pancreatic metastases (36%), four cases of secondary primary pancreatic cancer (29%), two cases of lymph node metastases (14%), one case of malignant lymphoma (7%), one case of autoimmune pancreatitis (7%) and one case of pseudolesion (7%). One patient with early-stage secondary primary pancreatic cancer had a maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) <3.0. The remaining 13 patients had a SUV_max >3.0 in the pancreas. Of the 14 patients, two had multiple foci of FDG uptake in the pancreas. Patients with multiple foci of FDG uptake exhibited pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma and malignant lymphoma. In conclusion, the majority of patients with unexpected pancreatic FDG uptake on follow-up PET/CT exhibited malignancies; furthermore, ~30% of the malignancies detected in patients with pancreatic FDG uptake were secondary primary pancreatic cancers. In patients with unexpected pancreatic FDG uptake on follow-up PET/CT, primary cancer should be considered as well as metastatic tumors.     

Comparison between positron emission tomography and computed tomography in the use of the assessment of esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The role and potential value of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning in certain tumors has been widely investigated in recent years. The authors retrospectively assessed the performance of 18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET in the assessment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: The results using PET were compared with those using computed tomography (CT), and these were correlated with the pathologic findings. The authors studied 32 patients with thoracic esophageal SCC who had undergone radical esophagectomy. RESULTS: Uptake of FDG in the primary tumor was found in 25 of the 32 (78.1%) cases. Comparison of the FDG uptake and the clinicopathologic findings showed that there was a significant association between the FDG uptake and each of the depth of tumor invasion (P < 0.05), occurrence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01), and lymphatic invasion (P < 0.01). The survival rate in cases with high FDG uptake (standardized uptake value [SUV], >3) was significantly lower than that in cases with low FDG uptake (SUV, < 3; P < 0.05). In the evaluation of lymph node staging by the detection of lymph node metastasis, FDG-PET showed 77.8% sensitivity, 92.9% specificity, and 84.4% accuracy, and CT scanning showed 61.1% sensitivity, 71.4% specificity, and 65.6% accuracy. Positron emission tomography scanning showed a high degree of accuracy in the neck, upper thoracic, and abdominal regions. However, in the mid- and lower thoracic regions, the sensitivity was very low. The smallest lymph node metastasis that was detected by FDG-PET imaging was 6 mm. The average size of lymph node metastasis that was undetected by FDG-PET scanning was 7.3 mm (range, 1-17 mm). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, FDG-PET may be used as a noninvasive diagnostic technique in assessing the aggressiveness of the tumor and the prognosis in patients with esophageal SCC. During the preoperative diagnostic procedures, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of lymph node staging is higher with FDG-PET than with CT imaging. In view of the high specificity of FDG-PET, it also gives useful information to guide the choice of treatment of esophageal carcinoma.