Abstract
The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting the pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer (BC) patients. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library (Central), and the Web of Science (SCI-Expanded) were systematically searched to identify pertinent studies. The methodologic quality of the included studies was assessed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to explore the existence of a threshold effect. Heterogeneity was assessed by the likelihood ratio I 2 index. The pooled values calculated with a mixed-effects model for the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were 81.9% (76.0-86.6%), 79.3% (72.1-85.1%) and 17.35 (10.98-27.42), respectively. 18F-FDG PET/CT has a moderate accuracy in predicting the pathological response during the early process of NAC in breast cancer patients. To increase the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in monitoring the therapy response, future prospective studies are needed to explore how chemotherapy regimens and different subtypes affect the levels of glucose metabolism. • This meta-analysis assesses the role of PET/CT in breast cancer during NAC. • Pathological responses were based on both primary tumour and lymph node. • 18 F-FDG PET/CT has a moderate accuracy in predicting the pathological response.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
