AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThe overall success of the ${}^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT in detecting recurrences in patients with elevated CEA levels and negative, equivocal and/or pathological findings of conventional imaging modalities was 70.6%.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Objective: Early diagnosis of recurrent colorectal cancer (CRC) has an impact on the patient’s survival and quality of life. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (${}^{18}F-FDG$) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging in restaging patients with previously operated CRC, with elevated tumor markers and/or suspicious, equivocal, or pathological conventional imaging modality findings. Methods: Data of 75 patients (42 males, 33 females) with CRC were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had undergone an operation, with suspicion of recurrence because of elevated tumor markers and/or equivocal or pathological conventional imaging modality findings during follow-up. Only patients, who have undergone conventional imaging methods (CIM) (e.g., CT and magnetic resonance imaging) and/or with serum tumor marker (carcinoembryonic antigen) measurements done within the first month preceding the PET/CT scan, were included in the study. Results: Recurrence was confirmed in 58 patients with the clinical follow-up or pathological findings after the ${}^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT imaging. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of ${}^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT in the diagnosis of CRC recurrence were 93.1%, 88.2%, 92%, 96.4%, and 78.9%, respectively. The ${}^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT was superior to CIM and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) measurements in detecting recurrent diseases in patients with CRC. Conclusion: The ${}^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT imaging was efficient for early detection of patients with recurrent CRC having elevated serum CEA levels. The overall success of the ${}^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT in detecting recurrences in patients with elevated CEA levels and negative, equivocal and/or pathological findings of conventional imaging modalities was 70.6%. PET/CT exhibited a 93% success in detecting the recurrence in cases referred to ${}^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT depending on suspicious findings on CIM and/or elevated CEA results. In our study, the ${}^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT has changed the disease management in 33.3% of patients.