Diagnostic Significance of Fluorine 18-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in Assessment of Recurrent Ovarian Carcinoma.

Background: Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all gynecological cancers and usually diagnosed at a late stage due to the paucity and insidious onset of symptoms. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a noninvasive, highly accurate imaging method for many cancers. This study aimed to early detection of recurrent postoperative ovarian cancer through FDGPET/CT with subsequently early better treatment outcome and prolonged survival time. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 20 female patients with suspected recurrent ovarian cancer. All patients were subjected to complete history taking and full clinical examination. We included cases with suspected ovarian cancer either clinically or elevated tumor marker CA-125 level above 35 U/ml or suspicious findings at conventional imaging methods (CT, US or MRI). Whole-Body PET/CT Imaging with 18F-FDG was performed to confirm presence or absence of recurrence. The results were compared to histopathological results or six-month follow up. Results: The study included twenty cases with suspected ovarian cancer recurrence. Thirty-three lesions were detected by PET/CT scan of which 5 lesions found in the pelvis, 9 peritoneal, 2 pelvic, 1 para-aortic and 8 distant lymph nodes, and 8 distant organs lesions. The majority of the patients show multifocal recurrent lesions in 80% of positive cases while unifocal lesion is seen in 20% of positive cases. The proportion of patients who showed non-epithelial cells (15%) on histopathology was significantly higher in the group with distant metastasis (P=0.049). There was no statistically significant relation between having peritoneal implants and patients' characteristics. Moreover, there was no statistically significant relation between having distant metastasis and (clinical presentation, serum CA125 concentration, conventional imaging results, initial FIGO and WHO classification and treatment) of patients Conclusions: PET/CT is a convenient modality in the evaluation of ovarian cancer recurrence; it can detect and localize the recurrence with high accuracy, thus can influence and modify the treatment plan, and reduce the need for a second look surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zagazig University Medical Journal is the property of Association of Arab Universities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)