title: PET imaging for suspected residual tumour or thoracic recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer after pneumonectomy.
abstract: F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) was investigated in patients with suspected residual disease or intrathoracic recurrence after pneumonectomy. Patients were identified from a prospective database. Impact of PET on staging and patient management was assessed. Clinical outcome was used to assess appropriateness of management. PET was performed in 17 cases, either post-operatively (n = 8), or later for suspected recurrence (n = 9) in patients with good performance status and without extensive disease on conventional imaging. PET changed treatment in 10 cases (59%). In five patients (29%), PET changed treatment intent (curative versus non-curative) from radical radiotherapy (RT) to palliative RT (n = 1), or observation or supportive care (n = 3), or from palliative to radical RT (n = 1). In a further patient with unexplained pain, PET appropriately showed no evidence of disease. In additional five cases (29%), PET influenced choice of RT dose and the use of concurrent chemotherapy (n = 3) or target volume (n = 2). Patients without tumour or with limited disease on PET had favourable outcomes whereas those with extensive disease suffered early tumour progression. PET was discordant with conventional assessment in >50% of cases. PET may be valuable after pneumonectomy if the patient is being considered for adjuvant or salvage radiotherapy although specificity may be reduced due to post-operative inflammatory changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Michael P Mac
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Manus
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rischin
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.forename: Gavin M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016208:Databases, Factual; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18