Role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in predicting pathological response and survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with advanced ESCC received nCRT followed by surgery, and underwent FDG-PET/CT twice before and after nCRT. We compared the results of FDG-PET/CT with the pathological results and prognosis. Results: Pathological response was found to correlate with the maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) after nCRT and the rate of decrease of SUVmax. Using univariate analysis, pN, SUVmax after nCRT and the rate of decrease of SUVmax were found to be prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that only pN was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: The prediction of pathological response and prognosis using FDG-PET/CT is not as reliable as pathological detection of lymph node metastasis, but could be a useful method contributing to treatment decisions.