title: Is the predictive ability of positron emission tomography after neoadjuvant treatment for esophageal cancer ready for prime-time?
abstract: Monjazeb et al performed a single-institution, retrospective study of 163 patients with histologically confirmed stage I to IVa esophageal cancer to assess the utility of positron-emission tomography (PET) in delineating which patients would most likely benefit from esophagectomy after induction chemoradiation therapy. They found that patients who achieve a PET complete response after definitive chemoradiation therapy had similar outcomes to patients treated with trimodal therapy and concluded that patients who achieve a PET complete response after induction therapy may not benefit from esophagectomy. Though their study is interesting, their results should be validated by a prospective trial before they are incorporated into clinical practice.
authors: Division of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors: Shawn S
authors: SS
authors: Groth
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: D'Cunha
mesh_terms: D059186:Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome