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Khessib T, Jha P, Davidzon GA, Iagaru A, Shah J. Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Applications in Gynecologic Malignancies: A Comprehensive Review. Semin Nucl Med 2024; 54:270-292. [PMID: 38342655 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Gynecologic malignancies, consisting of endometrial, cervical, ovarian, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, pose significant diagnostic and management challenges due to their complex anatomic location and potential for rapid progression. These tumors cause substantial morbidity and mortality, often because of their delayed diagnosis and treatment. An estimated 19% of newly diagnosed cancers among women are gynecologic in origin. In recent years, there has been growing evidence supporting the integration of nuclear medicine imaging modalities in the diagnostic work-up and management of gynecologic cancers. The sensitivity of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) combined with the anatomical specificity of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for the hybrid evaluation of metabolic activity and structural abnormalities that has become an indispensable tool in oncologic imaging. Lymphoscintigraphy, using technetium 99m (99mTc) based radiotracers along with single photon emission computed tomography/ computed tomography (SPECT/CT), holds a vital role in the identification of sentinel lymph nodes to minimize the surgical morbidity from extensive lymph node dissections. While not yet standard for gynecologic malignancies, promising therapeutic nuclear medicine agents serve as specialized treatment options for patients with advanced or recurrent disease. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the nuclear medicine applications in gynecologic malignancies through the following objectives: 1) To describe the role of nuclear medicine in the initial staging, lymph node mapping, response assessment, and recurrence/surveillance imaging of common gynecologic cancers, 2) To review the limitations of 18F-FDG PET/CT and promising applications of 18F-FDG PET/MRI in gynecologic malignancy, 3) To underscore the promising theragnostic applications of nuclear medicine, 4) To highlight the current role of nuclear medicine imaging in gynecologic cancers as per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESGO), and European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Khessib
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Stanford Health Care; 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Priyanka Jha
- Division of Body Imaging, Department of Radiology, Stanford Health Care; 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94035
| | - Guido A Davidzon
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Stanford Health Care; 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Andrei Iagaru
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Stanford Health Care; 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Jagruti Shah
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Stanford Health Care; 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305.
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Evaluating the Risk of Inguinal Lymph Node Metastases before Surgery Using the Morphonode Predictive Model: A Prospective Diagnostic Study in Vulvar Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041121. [PMID: 36831462 PMCID: PMC9953890 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound examination is an accurate method in the preoperative evaluation of the inguinofemoral lymph nodes when performed by experienced operators. The purpose of the study was to build a robust, multi-modular model based on machine learning to discriminate between metastatic and non-metastatic inguinal lymph nodes in patients with vulvar cancer. One hundred and twenty-seven women were selected at our center from March 2017 to April 2020, and 237 inguinal regions were analyzed (75 were metastatic and 162 were non-metastatic at histology). Ultrasound was performed before surgery by experienced examiners. Ultrasound features were defined according to previous studies and collected prospectively. Fourteen informative features were used to train and test the machine to obtain a diagnostic model (Morphonode Predictive Model). The following data classifiers were integrated: (I) random forest classifiers (RCF), (II) regression binomial model (RBM), (III) decisional tree (DT), and (IV) similarity profiling (SP). RFC predicted metastatic/non-metastatic lymph nodes with an accuracy of 93.3% and a negative predictive value of 97.1%. DT identified four specific signatures correlated with the risk of metastases and the point risk of each signature was 100%, 81%, 16% and 4%, respectively. The Morphonode Predictive Model could be easily integrated into the clinical routine for preoperative stratification of vulvar cancer patients.
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Gaillard AL, Renaud T, Brocard C, Deleau F, Petit A, Guyon F, Lebreton C, Babin G, Mairé M, Chamming's F. Cancers de la vulve : dernières actualités et nouvelle classification Figo 2021. IMAGERIE DE LA FEMME 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.femme.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
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MRI in the Evaluation of Locally Advanced Vulvar Cancer Treated with Chemoradiotherapy and Vulvar Cancer Recurrence: The 2021 Revision of FIGO Classification and the Need for Multidisciplinary Management. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163852. [PMID: 36010846 PMCID: PMC9406001 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163852] [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: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Vulvar cancer is a rare gynecologic tumor (representing 4% of all gynecologic malignancies). We review the role of MRI in patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer (LAVC), highlighting the findings that influence clinical management. We also present the MRI findings of local recurrence according to its type and location. Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an essential role in the management of patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer (LAVC), who frequently benefit from a multidisciplinary approach. Accordingly, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with radical or neoadjuvant intent seems to provide a better quality of life and less morbidity than extensive surgery alone. In this overview, we discuss the role of MRI in the post-CRT assessment of LAVC, emphasizing the evaluation of primary tumor response. In order to assess treatment response and select candidates for post-CRT local excision, the MRI findings are described according to signal intensity, restricted diffusion, enhancement, and invasion of adjacent organs. We also focus on the role of MRI in detecting vulvar cancer recurrence. It occurs in 30–50% of patients within two years after initial treatment, the majority appearing near the original resection margins or in ipsilateral inguinal or pelvic lymph nodes. Finally, we describe early and delayed complications of CRT, such as cellulitis, urethritis, vulvar edema, bone changes, myositis, and fistulization. By describing the role of MRI in assessing LAVC response to CRT and detecting recurrence, we hope to provide suitable indications for a personalized approach.
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Verri D, Moro F, Fragomeni SM, Zaçe D, Bove S, Pozzati F, Gui B, Scambia G, Testa AC, Garganese G. The Role of Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Inguinal Lymph Nodes in Patients with Vulvar Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133082. [PMID: 35804853 PMCID: PMC9265034 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Currently, around 30% of vulvar cancer cases at first diagnosis are spread to the inguinal lymph nodes. Preoperative staging of patients affected by vulvar carcinoma is still a hot topic. To date, MRI has shown a great diagnostic accuracy on defining disease extension to soft tissue and deep organs. At present, regarding the study of inguinal nodes, the PET/CT scan has shown a high negative predictive value, although in the presence of a suspicious/positive report it should be taken with caution. We report the results of a study aimed to investigate the role of groin ultrasound in the assessment of lymph nodal status in vulvar cancer. Furthermore, this review represents the most accurate collection of papers available in the literature. This work demonstrates that groin ultrasound can be considered a valuable tool for risk assessment of the presence of groin lymph node metastases. Achieving a high diagnostic accuracy would allow tailored surgical planning with access to minimally invasive surgery techniques for an increasing number of patients. Abstract Objective. To determine the efficacy of ultrasound in assessing the inguinal lymph nodes in patients with vulvar cancer. Methods. A systematic review of published research up to October 2020 that compares the results of ultrasound to determine groin node status with histology was conducted. All study types that reported primary data on the role of ultrasound in the evaluation of groin lymph nodes in vulvar cancer were included in the systematic review. Data retrieved from the included studies were pooled in random-effects meta-analyses. Results. After the screening and selection process, eight articles were deemed pertinent for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The random-effects model showed a pooled Se of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81–0.89), Sp of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.81–0.91), PPV of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.54–0.79) and NPV of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.91–0.94). There was a pooled LR+ and LR− of 6.44 (95% CI: 3.72–11.4) and 0.20 (95% CI: 0.14–0.27), respectively. The pooled accuracy was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.80–0.91). Conclusions. Although the studies had small sample sizes, this review represents the best summary of the data so far. Ultrasound has revealed high sensitivity and high negative predictive value in the assessment of nodal status in vulvar cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Verri
- Gynecology and Breast Care Center, Mater Olbia Hospital, 07026 Olbia, Italy; (D.V.); (S.B.); (G.G.)
| | - Francesca Moro
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (F.P.); (G.S.); (A.C.T.)
| | - Simona Maria Fragomeni
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (F.P.); (G.S.); (A.C.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3669392149; Fax: +39-0630156279
| | - Drieda Zaçe
- Dipartimento Universitario Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Sonia Bove
- Gynecology and Breast Care Center, Mater Olbia Hospital, 07026 Olbia, Italy; (D.V.); (S.B.); (G.G.)
| | - Federica Pozzati
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (F.P.); (G.S.); (A.C.T.)
| | - Benedetta Gui
- Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (F.P.); (G.S.); (A.C.T.)
- Dipartimento Universitario Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonia Carla Testa
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (F.P.); (G.S.); (A.C.T.)
- Dipartimento Universitario Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giorgia Garganese
- Gynecology and Breast Care Center, Mater Olbia Hospital, 07026 Olbia, Italy; (D.V.); (S.B.); (G.G.)
- Dipartimento Universitario Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
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Virarkar M, Vulasala SS, Daoud T, Javadi S, Lall C, Bhosale P. Vulvar Cancer: 2021 Revised FIGO Staging System and the Role of Imaging. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2264. [PMID: 35565394 PMCID: PMC9102312 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vulvar cancer is a rare gynecological malignancy. It constitutes 5-8% of all gynecologic neoplasms, and squamous cell carcinoma is the most common variant. This article aims to review the etiopathogenesis revised 2021 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification and emphasize imaging in the staging of vulvar cancer. The staging has been regulated by FIGO since 1969 and is subjected to multiple revisions. Previous 2009 FIGO classification is limited by the prognostic capability, which prompted the 2021 revisions and issue of a new FIGO classification. Although vulvar cancer can be visualized clinically, imaging plays a crucial role in the staging of the tumor, assessing the tumor extent, and planning the management. In addition, sentinel lymph node biopsy facilitates the histopathological staging of the draining lymph node, thus enabling early detection of tumor metastases and better survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Virarkar
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 655 West 8th Street, C90, 2nd Floor, Clinical Center, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA; (M.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Sai Swarupa Vulasala
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 655 West 8th Street, C90, 2nd Floor, Clinical Center, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA; (M.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Taher Daoud
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.D.); (S.J.); (P.B.)
| | - Sanaz Javadi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.D.); (S.J.); (P.B.)
| | - Chandana Lall
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 655 West 8th Street, C90, 2nd Floor, Clinical Center, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA; (M.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Priya Bhosale
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.D.); (S.J.); (P.B.)
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