Role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in restaging of esophageal cancer after curative-intent surgical resection

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate diagnostic performance of FDG PET-CT in suspected recurrence of carcinoma esophagus after curative-intent surgical resection and impact of FDG PET-CT on intended management. Material and methods This was retrospective study of patients with clinical or radiological suspicion of recurrent esophageal carcinoma who were referred for PET-CT from January 2006 to December 2017. Diagnostic performance of PET-CT was evaluated for disease recurrence and its impact on management decisions. PET-CT findings were confirmed with tissue diagnosis. When tissue diagnosis was not available clinical and radiological follow-up was used as reference standard. Results Relevant clinical data were available in 68 patients which were considered for analysis. In 91% (62/68) patients FDG PET-CT findings were suggestive of disease recurrence. Histopathological confirmation was available in 43 patients, whereas in remaining patients recurrence was confirmed by radiological and clinical follow-up. Forty percent (28/68) patients were detected with distant metastases. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of FDG PET-CT was found to be 98.4, 80, 98 and 80% with accuracy of 97%. Change in management was observed in 41% (28/68) of patients from salvage radiotherapy/surgery to palliative chemotherapy/best supportive care based on evidence of distant metastases seen on FDG PET-CT. Conclusion FDG PET-CT is highly sensitive in detection of recurrent disease in esophageal cancer patients after surgical resection. It can detect distant metastases in high proportion of patients thus changing the intent of management from radical salvage to palliative chemotherapy/best supportive care.