Para-aortic lymph node invasion in high-risk endometrial cancer: Performance of 18 FDG PET-CT

Abstract

Aim: 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography integrated with computed tomography ( 18 FDG PET-CT) is a non-invasive examination that could be helpful for the management of endometrial cancer. This study investigated the performance of 18 FDG PET-CT in assessing para-aortic (PA) lymph-node involvement in high-risk endometrial cancer. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study carried out between 2009 and 2018. The inclusion criteria were high-risk and locally advanced type 1 or 2 endometrial cancer with 18 FDG PET-CT before PA lymphadenectomy. Results: During the study period, among 142 patients with high-risk endometrial cancer, 35 patients (24.6%) underwent 18 FDG PET-CT followed by PA lymphadenectomy. In 25% of cases, PA lymphadenectomy was not performed due to the discovery of metastasis. 18 FDG PET-CT had a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 75%, accuracy of 80% and an area under the curve of 0.75 for the evaluation of PA involvement. Conclusion: According to its high specificity in PA lymph-node evaluation, a positive PET scan might allow PA lymphadenectomy to be avoided.