Prognostic impact of post-treatment FDG PET/CT in anal canal cancer: A prospective study

Abstract

Background and purposeThe aim of our prospective study was to assess the prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT performed two months post treatment for anal canal neoplasm. Population and methodsConsecutive patients with histologically proved anal cancer, with 18F-FDG PET/CT pre and two months post treatment were included. Patients were not previously treated for this neoplasm and then received radiotherapy ± chemotherapy. Clinical and pathologic data were collected and for 18F-FDG PET/CT visual and quantitative analysis (standardized uptake value, metabolic volume) were performed; response was classified according to EORTC and PERCIST criteria. The results were assessed for disease free survival and local recurrence free survival using the log-Rank test ResultsFrom December 2014 to September 2019, 94 consecutive patients were screened and 78 were included in this study. Median follow-up was 51 months. Two months post treatment, 37 patients (47.4%) had a complete radiological response according to both EORTC and PERCIST criteria, 66 patients (84.6%) had a clinical complete response. For disease free survival, the prognostic value of complete response was statistically significant (p=0.02) with 18F-FDG PET/CT and with clinical examination (p<0.001). For local recurrence free survival, the prognostic value with 18F-FDG PET/CT was lower (p=0.04) than clinical examination (p < 0.007). ConclusionWhile clinical examination remains the gold standard for post treatment evaluation in anal cancer, 18F-FDG PET/CT has a statistically significant prognostic value. These two assessments could be combined to improve early evaluation.