title: Predictive value of initial PET-SUVmax in patients with locally advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have previously shown that in early clinical stage esophageal adenocarcinoma, a positron emission tomography standardized uptake values (PET SUVmax) of <4.5 is associated with earlier pathologic stage and predicts better survival. In this study, we analyze the impact of the pretreatment PET SUVmax in patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma who undergo preoperative chemoradiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis, selecting patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus who had a pretreatment PET scan and who received chemoradiotherapy before esophagectomy. Data recorded included demographics, PET SUVmax, treatment details, pathologic details, and survival data. Comparison of categorical variables was done by chi analysis, continuous variables by t test, survival analysis by the Kaplan-Meier method, and comparisons of survival using the log-rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between January 1996 and September 2007, 189 patients were appropriate for this analysis. The initial PET SUVmax was <4.5 in 28 patients and >or=4.5 in 161 patients. The two groups were similar with regards to demographics and treatment details. Patients in the low SUV group were less likely to show evidence of treatment response after chemoradiotherapy, including a higher likelihood of residual nodal disease and a lower likelihood of a pathologic complete response and estimated treatment response. However, both groups had similar survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the initial PET SUVmax does not predict survival in patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma who receive preoperative chemoradiotherapy, patients with a high initial SUVmax respond better to preoperative therapy. These results can be used to better select esophageal cancer patients for combined modality treatment.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York 10021, USA. rizkn@mskcc.org
authors.forename: Nabil P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Rizk
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Prasad S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Adusumilli
authors.forename: Manjit S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bains
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Akhurst
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ilson
authors.forename: Karyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Valerie W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Rusch
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18