Role of Pre-therapeutic (18)F-FDG PET/CT in Guiding the Treatment Strategy and Predicting Prognosis in Patients with Esophageal Carcinoma (original) (raw)

18F-FDG PET/CT Metrics Are Correlated to the Pathological Response in Esophageal Cancer Patients Treated With Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Neoadjuvant Chemo-Radiotherapy

Frontiers in Oncology, 2020

Background and ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the ability of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) to provide functional information useful in predicting pathological response to an intensive neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (nCRT) protocol for both esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) patients.Material and MethodsEsophageal carcinoma (EC) patients, treated in our Center between 2014 and 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. The nCRT protocol schedule consisted of an induction phase of weekly administered docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TCF) for 3 weeks, followed by a concomitant phase of weekly TCF for 5 weeks with concurrent radiotherapy (50–50.4 Gy in 25–28 fractions). Three 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed: before (PET1) and after (PET2) induction chemotherapy (IC), and prior to surgery (PET3). Correlation between PET parameters [maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax ...

Prediction of outcome with FDG-PET in definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer

Journal of Radiation Research, 2013

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose uptake positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for the prediction of outcome in definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for esophageal cancer. We enrolled 56 patients with esophageal cancer treated with definitive CRT and examined by FDG-PET before treatment. We examined the correlation of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in FDG-PET of the primary tumor with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), local control (LC) and response of the primary tumor. After definitive CRT, 30 patients had a clinical complete response (CR), making the CR rate 54%. For all 56 patients, the 2-year OS rate, PFS rate and LC rates were 64%, 38% and 51%, respectively. We divided the patients into two groups according to SUVmax: SUVmax < 10 (low-SUV) and ≥10 (high-SUV). The 2-year OS rates in the low-and high-SUV groups were 100% and 41%, the PFS rates were 73% and 19%, the LC rates were 71% and 39%, and the CR rates were 100% and 32%, respectively. A univariate analysis revealed significant differences between the low-and high-SUV group in OS, PFS, LC and response (P = 0.0005, 0.0002, 0.048, and <0.0001, respectively). SUVmax and T stage were significantly associated with OS, PFS, LC and response. A multivariate analysis showed significant differences between the SUVmax <10 and ≥10 groups in overall survival and response (P < 0.05). Our result suggests that the SUVmax in FDG-PET of the primary tumor before treatment may have prognostic value for esophageal cancer.

Maximum standardized uptake value in (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography is associated with advanced tumor factors in esophageal cancer

Molecular and clinical oncology, 2014

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG-PET/CT) has become established in cancer imaging, and derived maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) add functional information regarding cancer, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical significance and association of tumor progression using SUVmax derived from PET/CT images in patients with ESCC. In total, 101 patients with ESCC were assessed using FDG-PET/CT and the SUVmax was then compared with the clinical backgrounds and prognoses of the patients. Endoscopic ESCC biopsy specimens were obtained in order to analyze mRNA expression relative to tumor progression. The results showed that values for SUVmax were significantly higher in patients with tumor progression factors, particularly those with lymph node metastasis. Analysis of receiver operating characteristics curves revealed an optimum SUVmax cut-off value...

2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography imaging is predictive of pathologic response and survival after preoperative chemoradiation in patients with esophageal carcinoma

Cancer, 2004

BACKGROUNDThe current study was performed to assess the value of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in predicting the pathologic response and survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) and tumor resection. Preliminary reports suggest that FDG-PET may be predictive of the response of esophageal carcinoma patients to preoperative CRT.The current study was performed to assess the value of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in predicting the pathologic response and survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) and tumor resection. Preliminary reports suggest that FDG-PET may be predictive of the response of esophageal carcinoma patients to preoperative CRT.METHODSEighty-three patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma who underwent preoperative CRT and FDG-PET and tumor resection were evaluated for pathologic response to CRT, percent residual tumor, and survival.Eighty-three patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma who underwent preoperative CRT and FDG-PET and tumor resection were evaluated for pathologic response to CRT, percent residual tumor, and survival.RESULTSThe majority of patients in the current study were men (74 of 83 patients; 89%). Most tumors were adenocarcinomas (73 of 83 tumors; 88%) and clinical EUST3/4 (69 tumors; 83%) or N1 (46 tumors; 55%). FDG-PET after preoperative CRT identified pathologic responders but failed to rule out microscopic residual tumor in 13 of 73 cases (18%). Pathologic response was found to correlate with the post-CRT FDG-PET standardized uptake value (SUV) (P = 0.03) and a post-CRT FDG-PET SUV of ≥ 4 was found to be the only preoperative factor to correlate with decreased survival (2-year survival rate of 33% vs. 60%; P = 0.01). On univariate Cox regression analysis, only post-CRT FDG-PET was found to be correlated with post-CRT survival (P = 0.04).The majority of patients in the current study were men (74 of 83 patients; 89%). Most tumors were adenocarcinomas (73 of 83 tumors; 88%) and clinical EUST3/4 (69 tumors; 83%) or N1 (46 tumors; 55%). FDG-PET after preoperative CRT identified pathologic responders but failed to rule out microscopic residual tumor in 13 of 73 cases (18%). Pathologic response was found to correlate with the post-CRT FDG-PET standardized uptake value (SUV) (P = 0.03) and a post-CRT FDG-PET SUV of ≥ 4 was found to be the only preoperative factor to correlate with decreased survival (2-year survival rate of 33% vs. 60%; P = 0.01). On univariate Cox regression analysis, only post-CRT FDG-PET was found to be correlated with post-CRT survival (P = 0.04).CONCLUSIONSPost-CRT FDG-PET was found to be predictive of pathologic response and survival in patients with esophageal carcinoma who undergo preoperative CRT. Esophagectomy should still be considered even if the post-CRT FDG-PET scan is normal because microscopic residual disease cannot be ruled out. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.Post-CRT FDG-PET was found to be predictive of pathologic response and survival in patients with esophageal carcinoma who undergo preoperative CRT. Esophagectomy should still be considered even if the post-CRT FDG-PET scan is normal because microscopic residual disease cannot be ruled out. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.

Utility of 18F-FDG-PET for Predicting Histopathologic Response in Esophageal Carcinoma Following Chemoradiation

Journal of Thoracic Oncology, 2016

Introduction: For patients with esophageal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) followed by surgical resection, complete histopathologic response (pCR) is associated with favorable overall survival (OS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) response to neoadjuvant CRT and pCR. Methods: Maximum standardized uptake values and standardized uptake ratios (SURs) were measured before and after CRT. SUR was normalized to liver uptake and mediastinal blood pool uptake. FDG PET complete response was defined as metabolic activity normalization to hepatic and blood pool activity. The correlation between FDG PET parameters and pCR was examined through logistic regression analyses. Results: In total, 193 patients were monitored for a median of 3.6 years after initiation of CRT. Most tumors were adenocarcinoma (85%) and stage T3 (75%). Complete FDG PET response and pCR occurred in 27% and 34% of patients, respectively. Histologic findings, chemotherapy type, tumor stage, and radiation dose were not significantly associated with complete radiographic response. The rates of pCR in patients with and without radiographic complete response were 42% and 31% (p ¼ 0.17), respectively. No predictive correlation was found between pCR and change in maximum standardized uptake value (p ¼ 0.25), in SUR normalized to blood pool uptake (p ¼ 0.20), or in SUR normalized to liver uptake (p ¼ 0.15). The 5-year OS rate was 46% for patients with a complete FDG PET response versus 44% without a complete response (p ¼ 0.78). The 5year OS rate of patients who achieved pCR was 49% versus 43% for patients with residual tumor (p ¼ 0.04). Conclusion: For patients with esophageal cancer who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation, pretreatment and posttreatment FDG PET parameters did not correlate with pCR or OS.

Pitfalls of Positive Findings in Staging Esophageal Cancer With F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography

Annals of Surgical Oncology, 2003

Introduction: 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is valuable in staging of esophageal cancer. However, FDG-PET may falsely upstage patients leading to incorrect exclusion from surgical treatment. This study was performed to determine the falsepositive rate and possible causes. Patients and Methods: The rate of false-positive lesions on FDG-PET was documented in 86 out of a group of 98 patients. Lesions were defined as false-positive when pathological examination was negative or as absence of tumor activity within 6 months of follow-up. To evaluate the influence of a learning curve on the false-positive rate, the PET scans were revised recently. Results: False-positive lesions were found in 13 patients (13 of 86; 15%). FDG-PET incorrectly revealed only locoregional node metastases in 5 patients in whom surgery with curative intent was performed. Ten lesions in the other 8 patients were classified as distant organ or as nonregional node metastases (M1a/1b). Finally, 5 patients upstaged to M1a/1b underwent a curative resection. The number of false-positive lesions decreased from 16 to 5 (6%) after revision. Conclusion: Proper interpretation of FDG-PET in staging esophageal cancer is impeded by false-positive results. Even after completion of the learning curve, positive FDG-PET findings still have to be confirmed by additional investigations.

Contribution of FDG-PET/CT to the management of esophageal cancer patients at multidisciplinary tumor board conferences

European Journal of Radiology Open, 2020

Background: A multidisciplinary team approach to the management of esophageal cancer patients leads to better clinical decisions. Purpose: The contribution of CT, endoscopic and laparoscopic ultrasound to clinical staging and treatment selection by multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTB) in patients with esophageal cancer is well documented. However, there is a paucity of data addressing the role that FDG-PET/CT (PET/CT) plays to inform the clinical decision-making process at MTB conferences. The aim of this study was to assess the impact and contribution of PET/CT to clinical management decisions and to the plan of care for esophageal cancer patients at the MTB conferences held at our institution. Materials and methods: This IRB approved study included all the cases discussed in the esophageal MTB meetings over a year period. The information contributed by PET/CT to MTB decision making was grouped into four categories. Category I, no additional information provided for clinical management; category II, equivocal and misguiding information; category III, complementary information to other imaging modalities, and category IV, information that directly changed clinical management. The overall impact on management was assessed retrospectively from prospectively discussed clinical histories, imaging, histopathology, and the official minutes of the MTB conferences. Results: 79 patients (61 males and 18 females; median age, 61 years, range, 33-86) with esophageal cancer (53 adenocarcinomas and 26 squamous cell carcinomas) were included. The contribution of PET/CT-derived information was as follows: category I in 50 patients (63%); category II in 3 patients (4%); category III in 8 patients (10%), and category IV information in 18 patients (23%). Forty-five patients (57%) had systemic disease, and in 5 (11%) of these, metastatic disease was only detected by PET/CT. In addition, PET/CT detected previously unknown recurrence in 4 (9%) of 43 patients. In summary, PET/CT provided clinically useful information to guide management in 26 of 79 esophageal cancer patients (33%) discussed at the MTB. Conclusion: The study showed that PET/CT provided additional information and changed clinical management in 1 out of 3 (33%) esophageal cancer cases discussed at MTB conferences. These results support the inclusion whenever available, of FDG-PET/CT imaging information to augment and improve the patient management decision process in MTB conferences.