Comparative study between 18F-FDG PET scan and conventional CT in assessment of non-small cell lung cancer patients after treatment

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Hence, timely diagnosis and accurate staging of the carcinoma as well as strict follow up is critical for better prognosis. Imaging studies play a key role in post-treatment follow up of patients with lung cancer. Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning has developed as an important tool in the multi-disciplinary management of lung cancer. The combination of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and computed tomography (CT) has a great impact on the diagnosis, staging, and hence on the follow up of lung cancer patients compared to conventional CT study only. Methods: A retrospective comparative study conducted on 15 patients histopathologically proven to have NSCLC. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET scan had a superior role in monitoring tumor turn over in case of no appreciable time interval changes in its size according to the CT.