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The Early Use of PET-CT Alters the Management of Patients with Esophageal Cancer

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Introduction

The routine use of positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) in the staging of patients with esophageal carcinoma remains contentious, with conflicting reports of its benefit. In our unit, PET-CT has been used routinely in the staging of all patients considered for radical therapy (surgery or chemoradiotherapy). Our aim was to determine the frequency with which PET-CT influenced decision making in the management of patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction.

Methods

CT, PET-CT, and outcome information were collected on 38 patients considered for radical therapy. Patient proformas, with and without PET-CT findings, were constructed and each independently reviewed in a randomized and blinded fashion by five multidisciplinary team members (three surgeons, two oncologists) and a treatment strategy determined.

Results

PET-CT changed the staging for ten patients (26%). This translated into a change in management decision for seven patients (18%). The concordance between individual management plans and treatment intent was 79% for CT (150 of 190 decisions) and it was 92% for PET-CT (175 of 190 decisions). Full concordance between multidisciplinary team members was 66% with CT staging and 74% with the addition of PET-CT.

Conclusion

The use of PET-CT early in the staging algorithm for esophageal carcinoma altered the staging for a quarter of patients and the management for a fifth of patients, supporting its inclusion early in the staging algorithm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK

    R. N. Williams, S. S. Ubhi, C. D. Sutton & D. J. Bowrey

  2. Department of Oncology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK

    A. L. Thomas

  3. Department of Radiology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK

    J. J. Entwisle

  4. Department of Surgery, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK

    D. J. Bowrey

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  1. R. N. Williams
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  2. S. S. Ubhi
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  3. C. D. Sutton
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  4. A. L. Thomas
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  5. J. J. Entwisle
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  6. D. J. Bowrey
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Correspondence to D. J. Bowrey.

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Williams, R.N., Ubhi, S.S., Sutton, C.D. et al. The Early Use of PET-CT Alters the Management of Patients with Esophageal Cancer. J Gastrointest Surg 13, 868–873 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-0812-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-0812-z

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