Integrated positron-emission tomography for nodal staging in lung cancer.
As lymph node metastasis is the most important factor determining the surgical outcome of lung cancer, we evaluated the accuracy and clinical usefulness of functional imaging with integrated positron-emission tomography and computed tomography in nodal staging of non-small-cell lung cancer. Between October 2003 and August 2004, 43 newly diagnosed patients underwent curative surgical resection or mediastinoscopic nodal biopsy after chest computed tomography as well as whole-body functional imaging for clinical staging. Based on histopathologic findings in the lymph nodes, we compared the diagnostic usefulness of computed tomography and functional imaging. Twenty-two patients were N0 stage, 6 were N1, 11 were N2, and 4 were N3. Although functional imaging seemed to be superior for evaluation of N2 nodes, there were no significant differences in the sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value, negative-predictive value, or accuracy. The situation was similar for N1 nodes, and there were no significant differences except for the false-negative rate. High false-positive and negative-rates for N2 lymph nodes suggest that functional imaging should not replace mediastinoscopy.
Lee
Hyun Joo
HJ
Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. ytkim@snu.ac.kr
Kim
Young Tae
YT
Kang
Won Jun
WJ
Lee
Hyun Ju
HJ
Kang
Chang Hyun
CH
Kim
Joo Hyun
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008481:Mediastinoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed