Additional value of PET-CT in the staging of lung cancer : comparison with CT alone, PET alone and visual correlation of PET and CT

De Wever, W.; Ceyssens, S.; Mortelmans, L.; Stroobants, S.; Marchal, G.; Bogaert, J.; Verschakelen, J.A.

doi:10.1007/S00330-006-0284-4

Title

Additional value of PET-CT in the staging of lung cancer : comparison with CT alone, PET alone and visual correlation of PET and CT

Author

De Wever, W.

Ceyssens, S.

Mortelmans, L.

Stroobants, S.

Marchal, G.

Bogaert, J.

Verschakelen, J.A.

Abstract

Integrated positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) is a new imaging modality offering anatomic and metabolic information. The purpose was to evaluate retrospectively the accuracy of integrated PET-CT in the staging of a suggestive lung lesion, comparing this with the accuracy of CT alone, PET alone and visually correlated PET-CT. Fifty patients undergoing integrated PET-CT for staging of a suggestive lung lesion were studied. Their tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) statuses were determined with CT, PET, visually correlated PET-CT and integrated PET-CT. These TNM stages were compared with the surgical TNM status. Integrated PET-CT was the most accurate imaging technique in the assessment of the TNM status. Integrated PET-CT predicted correctly the T status, N status, M status and TNM status in, respectively, 86%, 80%, 98%, 70% versus 68%, 66%,88%, 46% with CT, 46%, 70%, 96%, 30% with PET and 72%, 68%, 96%, 54% with visually correlated PET-CT. T status and N status were overstaged, respectively, in 8% and 16% with integrated PET-CT, in 20% and 28% with CT, in 16% and 20% with PET, in 12% and 20% with visually correlated PET-CT and understaged in 6% and 4% with integrated PET-CT, versus 12% and 6% with CT, 38% and 10% with PET and 12% with visually correlated PET-CT. Integrated PET-CT improves the staging of lung cancer through a better anatomic localization and characterization of lesions and is superior to CT alone and PET alone. If this technique is not available, visual correlation of PET and CT can be a valuable alternative.

Language

English

Source (journal)

European radiology. - Secaucus, N.J., 1991, currens

Publication

Secaucus, N.J. : 2007

ISSN

0938-7994 [print]

1432-1084 [online]

DOI

10.1007/S00330-006-0284-4

Volume/pages