Impact of whole-body 18F-FDG PET on diagnostic and therapeutic management of Medical Oncology patients.
OBJECTIVE
Most studies evaluating positron-emission tomography (PET) impact on decision making are based on questionnaires sent to referring physicians, with low response rates and potential bias. Studies directly evaluating influence of PET on routine management of Medical Oncology patients are scarce.


METHODS
We retrospectively studied all patients evaluated by whole-body (18)F-FDG PET during 1 year in a Haematology/Oncology Department. We collected information regarding indication, PET results, modification of diagnostic and therapeutic management and adequacy of therapeutic changes.


RESULTS
One hundred consecutive patients having PET were evaluated. Diagnostic strategy was modified in 63% of patients (30% avoiding biopsy). Therapeutic management was modified by PET in 34% of cases: changes were classified as adequate in 30% and as inadequate in 4% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows a major impact of PET in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of cancer patients and supports its introduction as a routine diagnostic tool in Medical Oncology.
Zafra
Marta
M
Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain.
Ayala
Francisco
F
Gonzalez-Billalabeitia
Enrique
E
Vicente
Elena
E
Gonzalez-Cabezas
Pedro
P
García
Teresa
T
Macías
José A
JA
Vicente
Vicente
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18