Retrospective audit: Utility of PET scan in routine preoperative rectal cancer staging

Chen, MZ; Zhang, X; Mui, M; Kong, JCH; Heriot, AG; Ellis-Clark, J

Author(s): Chen, MZ; Zhang, X; Mui, M; Kong, JCH; Heriot, AG; Ellis-Clark, J;
Details: Publication Year 2023-03,Volume 93,Issue #3,Page 617-621
Journal Title: ANZ Journal of Surgery
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Accurate staging for rectal cancer is pertinent with recent introduction of rectum-sparing approaches for patients showing complete clinical response on restaging. Positron emission tomography(PET) is used in detection of recurrence or metastasis, but its value in routine preoperative rectal cancer staging remains unclear. Studies report that preoperative PET altered the stage in 39% and changed the management in 17-27% of patients. Our study aims to look at the utility of PET in routine preoperative staging of rectal cancer within 2 two colorectal units, and to determine if PET did result in a change in management. METHODS: Patients in Nepean Hospital (NSW) and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (VIC) who were diagnosed with rectal cancer between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021 were included in this retrospective study. All patients who did not have a PET scan were excluded. PET scan results were then compared with MRI and CT results. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-seven patients were included in the study. 30.3% of the patients had Stage 3 rectal cancer. 71.7% received neoadjuvant therapy. PET scan provided additional information in 55.5% of patients when compared with CT and MRI alone; 18.2% of the PET findings resulted in an altered management for the patient. CONCLUSION: PET scan can be a valuable tool in accurate staging, especially for ambiguous or equivocal lesions on CT. Our study demonstrated that additional information from PET scan resulted in an altered management plan in 18.2% of the patients. PET/MRI as a newer modality may be more accurate with reduced radiation exposure.
Publisher: Wiley
Keywords: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Neoplasm Staging; *Radiopharmaceuticals; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods; *Rectal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging/surgery; Positron-Emission Tomography/methods; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; PET scan; rectal cancer
Department(s): Surgical Oncology
PubMed ID: 36117452
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.18058
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2023-06-22 07:56:52

Last Modified: 2023-06-22 07:57:28