Abstract
Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is frequently performed for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the standardized uptake value (SUV) of FDG-PET against decreased rates of SUV to assess the response of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients to neoadjuvant CRT, and the correlation of this response with histopathological findings. Patients and Methods: Thirty-three patients receiving CRT followed by surgery were analyzed. Results: Using the decreased rate of maximum SUV, the sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing complete responders (CR) from non-CR patients was 63% and 44%. Using the maximum SUV before surgery, the sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing pathological CR from non-CR was 88% and 56%. Conclusions: To identify complete responders of CRT for esophageal cancer, absolute maximum SUV value is a better predictor than decreased rate of the maximum SUV.
Highlights
Many cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are detected at the advanced stage of tumor progression [1] [2]
We retrospectively assessed the standardized uptake value (SUV) of FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) against decreased rates of SUV to assess the response of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients to neoadjuvant CRT, and the correlation of this response with histopathological findings
To identify complete responders of CRT for esophageal cancer, absolute maximum SUV value is a better predictor than decreased rate of the maximum SUV
Summary
Many cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are detected at the advanced stage of tumor progression [1] [2]. The relationship between a pathological response and FDG-PET imaging is discussed on the basis of a decreased rate of standardized uptake value (SUV) With this methodology, it is difficult to discriminate between patients with the potential for a pathologically partial versus a complete response. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the absolute SUV of FDG-PET in comparison with the decreased rate of SUV to evaluate the response of advanced esophageal SCC to neoadjuvant CRT, and their correlation with the pathological findings. We retrospectively assessed the standardized uptake value (SUV) of FDG-PET against decreased rates of SUV to assess the response of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients to neoadjuvant CRT, and the correlation of this response with histopathological findings. Conclusions: To identify complete responders of CRT for esophageal cancer, absolute maximum SUV value is a better predictor than decreased rate of the maximum SUV
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