Application of 18F-FDG PET/CT in evaluation of curative effect and prognosis for small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer belongs to neuroendocrine tumors and is the most malignant one in lung cancer. It possesses clinical features such as rapid growth, easy early metastasis, and poor prognosis. PET/CT is a molecular imaging technique that combines morphological and metabolic imaging. It has been widely used in the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, efficacy and prognosis evaluation of tumors. This article reviews the efficacy, prognostic parameters, evaluation criteria, possible influencial factors, clinical application and value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT in small cell lung cancer. The accuracy and sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET/CT in small cell lung cancer stage, efficacy and prognosis evaluation are significantly higher than those of traditional imaging methods. Maximal standardized uptake, metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis have been applied in efficacy and prognosis prediction, which have important value in developing the personalized treatment and improving the survival for small cell lung cancer patient.