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Rimer H, Jensen MS, Dahlsgaard-Wallenius SE, Eckhoff L, Thye-Rønn P, Kristiansen C, Hildebrandt MG, Gerke O. 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT in Cancer of Unknown Primary Tumor-A Retrospective Register-Based Cohort Study. J Imaging 2023; 9:178. [PMID: 37754942 PMCID: PMC10532746 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging9090178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the impact of 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT on detection rate (DR) of the primary tumor and survival in patients with suspected cancer of unknown primary tumor (CUP), comparing it to the conventional diagnostic imaging method, CT. Patients who received a tentative CUP diagnosis at Odense University Hospital from 2014-2017 were included. Patients receiving a 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT were assigned to the 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT group and patients receiving a CT only to the CT group. DR was calculated as the proportion of true positive findings of 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT and CT scans, separately, using biopsy of the primary tumor, autopsy, or clinical decision as reference standard. Survival analyses included Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age, sex, treatment, and propensity score. We included 193 patients. Of these, 159 were in the 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT group and 34 were in the CT group. DR was 36.5% in the 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT group and 17.6% in the CT group, respectively (p = 0.012). Median survival was 7.4 (95% CI 0.4-98.7) months in the 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT group and 3.8 (95% CI 0.2-98.1) in the CT group. Survival analysis showed a crude hazard ratio of 0.63 (p = 0.024) and an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.68 (p = 0.087) for the 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT group compared with CT. This study found a significantly higher DR of the primary tumor in suspected CUP patients using 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT compared with patients receiving only CT, with possible immense clinical importance. No significant difference in survival was found, although a possible tendency towards longer survival in the 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT group was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Rimer
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Melina Sofie Jensen
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Lise Eckhoff
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Peter Thye-Rønn
- Department of Medicine, Center of Diagnostics, Odense University Hospital, Svendborg Hospital, 5700 Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Kristiansen
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Lillebælt Hospital, 7100 Vejle, Denmark
| | - Malene Grubbe Hildebrandt
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Centre for Innovative Medical Technology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Oke Gerke
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
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Muacevic A, Adler JR. Carcinoma of Unknown Original Identified as Renal Cell Carcinoma by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scan: A Report of Two Cases. Cureus 2022; 14:e29827. [PMID: 36337777 PMCID: PMC9624234 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Imaging is useful in identifying the primary site of an unknown primary cancer, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) is an excellent imaging modality for identifying the primary lesion. However, a potential limitation is that 18F-FDG is physiologically excreted from the kidneys, thus masking renal lesions. In this report, we describe two cases of cancer of unknown origin that were detected as originating from renal cancer on 18F-FDG PET/CT. Both cases showed abnormal nodular accumulation of 18F-FDG in the kidney, which can be distinguished from the physiological excretion of 18F-FDG in the urinary tract. It is clinically crucial to be able to confirm the possibility of renal cancer, and careful observation of the urinary tract with 18F-FDG PET/CT can be useful.
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3
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Comparison of PET-CT, CT and MRI scan in initial staging and management of head and neck cancers. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 279:2651-2656. [PMID: 34546395 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-021-07087-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate the utility of positron-emission tomography (FDG PET) in initial staging and management of head and neck cancers. METHODS This is a retrospective study of 99 treatment naïve head and neck cancer patients treated between January 2017 and December 2020 at a tertiary teaching centre. Change in initial staging and management was noted based on PET scan compared to cross-sectional imaging (CT and MRI). RESULTS There were 73 (73.7%) males and 26 (26.2%) females with male-to-female ratio of 2.8:1.Overall, change in management was seen in 36/99 (36.4%) patients due to PET scan. With regards to initial staging, T, N and M stage was changed in 14/99 (14.1%), 19/99 (19.1%) and 3/99 (3%) patients, respectively. These changes were significantly higher in patients with unknown primary (63.3%, p value -0.001) and N3 (41%, p -0.045) nodal disease. CONCLUSION PET-CT plays an important role in appropriate initial staging and subsequent treatment planning of head and neck cancers. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE Initial staging PETCT changes management in 36.4% cases. Accuracy of various different imaging modalities have been compared.
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4
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Nissan E, Amit U, Baron L, Zabatani A, Urban D, Barshack I, Davidson T. The usefulness of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in detecting and managing cancers with unknown primary site depends on histological subtype. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17732. [PMID: 34489490 PMCID: PMC8421436 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96451-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the role of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in identifying and managing cancer of unknown primary site (CUP syndrome). We reviewed [18F]FDG-PET/CT scans of individuals with CUP syndrome recorded in clinical referral letters from 2012 to 2019. We evaluated the identification of primary tumor (PT) by [18F]FDG-PET/CT, according to histological subtype, and the impact on clinical management. The median age was 65 years, 36/64 males (56%). PTs were detected in 28/64 (44%) patients. Detection was significantly lower in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) than with other histologies combined, p = 0.034. Mean age, mean SUVmax (10.6 ± 6.0) and organ involvement were similar between patients with and without discovered PTs; and between patients with SCC and with other histologies combined. However, those with SCC were less likely than the others to present with multi-lesion involvement, p < 0.001. [18F]FDG-PET/CT interpretations apparently affected treatment of 8/28 (29%) patients with PT detected, and in none of the 35 whose PT was not discovered, p < 0.001. [18F]FDG-PET/CT appeared helpful in detecting PT in almost half the patients with CUP syndrome; the lowest rate was for patients with SCC pathology. PET/CT showed limited overall value in guiding clinical management, however benefited those with discovered PT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Nissan
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Amit
- Radiation Oncology Department, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,The Dr. Pinchas Borenstein Talpiot Medical Leadership Program, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Leo Baron
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Amit Zabatani
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Damien Urban
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Oncology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Iris Barshack
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Pathology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Tima Davidson
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
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Cobo-Rodríguez A, Moreno-Caballero M, Martínez-Esteve A, Relaño-Mesa M, Jiménez-Granero P, Infante-de la Torre J. Aportación de la [18F]FDG PET-TC en un caso de diplopía monocular inexplicada. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.remn.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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6
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Cobo-Rodríguez A, Moreno-Caballero M, Martínez-Esteve A, Relaño-Mesa M, Jiménez-Granero P, Infante-de la Torre JR. Contribution of 18F-FDG PET/CT in a patient with unexplained monocular diplopia. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2021; 40:310-312. [PMID: 34425971 DOI: 10.1016/j.remnie.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Cobo-Rodríguez
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario de Badajoz, Badajoz, Spain.
| | - M Moreno-Caballero
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario de Badajoz, Badajoz, Spain
| | - A Martínez-Esteve
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario de Badajoz, Badajoz, Spain
| | - M Relaño-Mesa
- Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario de Badajoz, Badajoz, Spain
| | - P Jiménez-Granero
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario de Badajoz, Badajoz, Spain
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Soni N, Ora M, Aher PY, Mishra P, Maheshwarappa RP, Priya S, Graham MM. Role of FDG PET/CT for detection of primary tumor in patients with extracervical metastases from carcinoma of unknown primary. Clin Imaging 2021; 78:262-270. [PMID: 34174653 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM To explore the diagnostic performance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) to detect the primary tumor site in patients with extracervical metastases from carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP). We evaluated patient outcomes as overall survival (OS). MATERIALS AND METHODS In a single-center, retrospective study (2005-2019), patients with extracervical metastases from CUP underwent FDG PET/CT to detect primary tumor sites. The final diagnosis was based on histopathology/or clinical follow-up of at least 12 months. RESULTS A total of 83 patients [Male 41 (49%), mean age 59 ± 14 years, range: 32-83 years] fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were enrolled for analysis. The primary tumor was detected in 36 out of 83 (43%) patients based on histopathology/or clinical follow-up. PET/CT suggested the primary tumor site in 39 (47%) patients with diagnostic accuracy of 87%, sensitivity 89%, specificity 85%, PPV 82%, NPV 91% and detection rate 39%. Patients with oligometastases (<3) (2.16 years, 1.04-2.54) and primary unidentified (1 year, 0.34-2.14) had longer median survival time compared to the patients with multiple metastases (0.67 years, 0.17-1.58, p = 0.009) and primary identified (0.67 years,0.16-1.33, p = 0.002). The SUVmax of the primary or metastatic lesions with maximum uptake was not significantly related to survival. CONCLUSIONS PET/CT could reveal the primary tumor site in 39% of the patients. It demonstrated the metastatic disease burden and distribution in patients with 'primary obscured', which directs management. Patients with multiple metastases and primary identified had a poorer prognosis. In patients with primary unidentified after PET/CT, a further search was futile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neetu Soni
- Nuclear Medicine Resident at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA.
| | - Manish Ora
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Pritish Y Aher
- Fellow Chest Imaging, Radiology Department, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Prabhakar Mishra
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Sarv Priya
- Resident Radiology Department, UIHC, Iowa city 52246, IA, USA.
| | - Michael M Graham
- Radiology - Division of Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Oncology, 3863 JPP, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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8
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de Almeida JR. Role of Transoral Robotic Surgery in the Work-up of the Unknown Primary. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2020; 53:965-980. [PMID: 32951898 DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes is a relatively rare tumor presentation, although the incidence may be increasing along with the rising incidence of human papilloma virus-mediated oropharyngeal cancers. Traditional diagnostic methods with palatine tonsillectomy and panendoscopy may identify the minority of primary tumors. The addition of a transoral lingual tonsillectomy may improve the diagnostic yield of identifying a primary tumor. Incorporation of transoral robotic surgery may be used for diagnostic purposes to identify a primary site and also for therapeutic purposes, whereby a primary tumor may be completely resected and combined with a neck dissection.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R de Almeida
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, 8NU-883, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, 8NU-883, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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9
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Shao Y, Liu X, Hu S, Zhang Y, Li W, Zhou X, Wang Q, Hou Y, Chen Y, Wang Y, Wang Y, Luo Z, Hu X. Sentinel node theory helps tracking of primary lesions of cancers of unknown primary. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:639. [PMID: 32646508 PMCID: PMC7350562 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07042-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sentinel lymph node is the first stop of lymphatic spreading of cancer with known primary. The lymph node metastasis pattern of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is unclear and has been presumed to follow the same pathway. To test this hypothesis, data of all 716 patients clinically diagnosed as CUP in our center were collected. Methods Diagnoses of lymph node metastasis were established by 18F-FDG PET-CT and/or biopsy pathology. Three hundred and forty-seven cases meeting the criteria were divided into three groups: pathology-confirmed primary with invasive biopsy or surgery of the suspicious lesion (group A, n = 64), primary still unknown even with invasive biopsy or surgery of the suspicious lesion (group B, n = 204), and others with no suspicious lesion or lesions who had not been sampled due to medical or other reasons (group C, n = 79). We assessed the clinicopathological features between these groups, and the relationship between lymph node metastasis pattern and confirmed primary site. Results In group A, the primary sites of 61 cases were compatible with sentinel node theory, resulting in a positive predictive value of 95%. No significant differences in age, sex, bone metastasis, or visceral metastasis observed between group A and group B, except that group A had a higher ratio of differentiated carcinoma (94% vs. 77%, P = 0.003). Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first evidence indicating that the majority of clinical CUP cases follow the sentinel node theory to spread in lymph nodes, which helps tracking the primary, especially for differentiated carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Shao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-an Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-an Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Silong Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yingjian Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wentao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-an Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qifeng Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yifeng Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-an Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-an Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yaohui Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-an Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhiguo Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-an Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xichun Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-an Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Chan HP, Liu WS, Liou WS, Hu C, Chiu YL, Peng NJ. Comparison of FDG-PET/CT for Cancer Detection in Populations With Different Risks of Underlying Malignancy. In Vivo 2020; 34:469-478. [PMID: 31882515 PMCID: PMC6984113 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background/Aim: Whole-body positron-emission tomography/computed tomography with the glucose analog 2-[ 18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET/CT) has been used to screen examinees for underlying malignancy in many countries. The aim of this study was to compare the potential value of FDG-PET/CT application in asymptomatic individuals with those with suspected malignancy. Patients and Methods: A total of 9,408 examinees underwent whole-body FDG-PET/CT at our hospital from July 2006 to August 2013. Three thousand and seven hundred asymptomatic individuals and 848 individuals with laboratory and clinical/radiologicaI suspicion of malignancy who had undergone FDG-PET/CT for cancer screening were recruited. The final confirmation of cancer and outcomes were based on a pathological report and continuous follow-up. Results: Forty-five out of 3,700 asymptomatic individuals (1.2%) had proven malignancy, and 42 of them (93.3%) were found by FDG-PET/CT. Two hundred and twelve out of 848 with suspected malignancy (25%) had proven malignancy, and 196 of them (92.5%) were detected by FDG-PET/CT. Most of these cancers in asymptomatic individuals were clinically at an early stage. The discovery rate in asymptomatic individuals and those with suspected malignancy was 1.1% and 23.1%, respectively. The overall survival of patients with cancer diagnosed with PET/CT was higher than those with suspected malignancy (78.6% vs. 48.5%, p<0.001). Patients with a resectable lesion, early-stage disease, and lower maximal standardized uptake value had significantly better survival than those without. Conclusion: FDG-PET/CT is useful in the early diagnosis of cancer and thus might improve the survival rates of these patients. Considering the costs and risk of radiation exposure, it would be better used as a priority in patients with laboratory and clinical/radiologic suspicion of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Pin Chan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Shan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Shiung Liou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chin Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yu-Li Chiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Nan-Jing Peng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
- National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Liu Y. FDG PET/CT for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary of the head and neck. Oral Oncol 2019; 92:46-51. [PMID: 31010622 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The role of FDG PET/CT is uncertain in squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (SCCUP). Published data are limited by heterogeneity of pathology, varied diagnostic criteria, and small sample size. MATERIALS/METHODS This retrospective study was conducted in 40 patients who had FDG PET/CT for SCCUP. Prior to PET/CT, patients had underwent standard clinical evaluations including flexible rhinolaryngoscopy. The majority of the patients had anatomic imaging. All subjects had histopathological investigations, and follow-up data after PET/CT. RESULTS FDG PET/CT detected the primary in 16 of 40 patients (40%), and the most common locations of the primary were in the base of the tongue, palatine tonsil, and hypopharynx. There were 10 false positive and 6 false negative PET/CT scans. There was no difference in the mean SUVs of the suspected primary lesions between true and false positive groups. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and overall accuracy of FDG PET/CT for SCCUP in this patient cohort were 72.7% (16/22), 44.4% (8/18), 61.5% (16/26), 57.1% (8/14), and 60% (24/40), respectively. The tonsil was the site with the most false positive and false negative findings. CONCLUSIONS FDG PET/CT might be an effective single shot of whole-body imaging for detection of the primary in SCCUP. Low specificity remained the most notable weakness of FDG-PET in work-up for SCCUP. In addition to varied physiologic uptake or inflammatory related uptake in the common locations of the primary, the image indication bias might be another significant contributor of high false positive rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyan Liu
- Nuclear Medicine Service, Department of Radiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA.
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