The influence of (18)flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography on the management of gastroesophageal junction carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The influence of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with flourodeoxyglucose (FDG) on decision making for the treatment of patients with esophagogastric junction (EGJ) carcinoma is unclear as is the utility of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) as a prognostic indicator.


METHODS
This study was a retrospective review of EGJ carcinoma cases at a single institution during a 5-year period.


RESULTS
FDG-PET altered treatment in 13 of 64 patients (20%). Of these, 21 patients had PET scans before and after undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) as well as surgery. Patients who had a decrease in SUV >50% had a 12-month disease-free survival advantage over patients a decrease in SUV <50% (93% vs 43%, P = .025).


CONCLUSIONS
FDG-PET alters treatment in a significant number of patients with EGJ carcinoma. A >50% decrease in SUV after CRT is associated with an improved prognosis.
Smith
Jason W
JW
Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.
Moreira
Jonathan
J
Abood
Gerard
G
Aranha
Gerard V
GV
Nagda
Suneel
S
Wagner
Robert H
RH
Shoup
Margo
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18