| Literature DB >> 23316478 |
John Cuaron1, Mark Dunphy, Andreas Rimner.
Abstract
The integral role of positron-emission tomography (PET) using the glucose analog tracer fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is well established. Evidence is emerging for the role of PET in response assessment to neoadjuvant therapy, combined-modality therapy, and early detection of recurrence. Here, we review the current literature on these aspects of PET in the management of NSCLC. FDG-PET, particularly integrated (18)F-FDG-PET/CT, scans have become a standard test in the staging of local tumor extent, mediastinal lymph node involvement, and distant metastatic disease in NSCLC. (18)F-FDG-PET sensitivity is generally superior to computed tomography (CT) scans alone. Local tumor extent and T stage can be more accurately determined with FDG-PET in certain cases, especially in areas of post-obstructive atelectasis or low CT density variation. FDG-PET sensitivity is decreased in tumors <1 cm, at least in part due to respiratory motion. False-negative results can occur in areas of low tumor burden, e.g., small lymph nodes or ground-glass opacities. (18)F-FDG-PET-CT nodal staging is more accurate than CT alone, as hilar and mediastinal involvement is often detected first on (18)F-FDG-PET scan when CT criteria for malignant involvement are not met. (18)F-FDG-PET scans have widely replaced bone scintography for assessing distant metastases, except for the brain, which still warrants dedicated brain imaging. (18)F-FDG uptake has also been shown to vary between histologies, with adenocarcinomas generally being less FDG avid than squamous cell carcinomas. (18)F-FDG-PET scans are useful to detect recurrences, but are currently not recommended for routine follow-up. Typically, patients are followed with chest CT scans every 3-6 months, using (18)F-FDG-PET to evaluate equivocal CT findings. As high (18)F-FDG uptake can occur in infectious, inflammatory, and other non-neoplastic conditions, (18)F-FDG-PET-positive findings require pathological confirmation in most cases. There is increased interest in the prognostic and predictive role of FDG-PET scans. Studies show that absence of metabolic response to neoadjuvant therapy correlates with poor pathologic response, and a favorable (18)F-FDG-PET response appears to be associated with improved survival. Further work is underway to identify subsets of patients that might benefit individualized management based on FDG-PET.Entities:
Keywords: PET; follow-up; non-small cell lung cancer; response assessment; staging
Year: 2013 PMID: 23316478 PMCID: PMC3539654 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2012.00208
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Front Oncol ISSN: 2234-943X Impact factor: 6.244
Performance of PET and PET/CT in detection of mediastinal lymph node metastasis.
| No. of patients | Sensitivity (%) | Specificity (%) | Accuracy (%) | Positive predictive value (%) | Negative predictive value (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 100 | 98 | – | 91 | – | |
| 68 | 93 | 95 | 94 | – | – | |
| 102 | 91 | 86 | – | – | – | |
| 3078 | 85 | 90 | – | – | – | |
| 122 | 86 | 85 | 85 | 64 | 95 | |
| 2550 | 68 | 95 | – | – | – | |
| 81 | 87.2 | 72.5 | 77.8 | – | – | |
| 200 | 44 | 83 | 78 | 29 | 91 |