The value of 18F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography in diagnosis of patients suspected with gastric malignant tumors / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the value of 18F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in diagnosis of patients suspected with gastric malignant tumors. Methods Ten women and fourteen men, with a mean age of (56±15) years (ranged from 28 to 83 years) suspected of gastric malignant tumors were enrolled from May 2007 to July 2007. According to the results of the first time endoscopy and biopsy, patients were divided into gastric cancer group (n=9) and suspected group(n= 15). 18F-FDG PET/CT whole body scan was performed in gastric cancer group for assistant operation and suspected group for further diagnosis. The results of PET/CT for suspected group were all confirmed by the endoscopy later. The final diagnosis was based on pathology and follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of gastric malignant tumors were analyzed, as well as the tumor staging before operation. Results The malignant tumor was found in 16 out of 24 patients who received 18F-FDG PET/CT scan, including 9 in gastric cancer group and 7 in suspected group. Sixteen tumors originated from stomach,and 1 infiltrated the liver, pancreas and omentum. Liver (1 case) and lung (1 case) metastases were found. Three lesions limited in intestine and 13 had positive lymph nodes. Two patiens in suspected group were not diagnosed by PET/CT, one was negative and the other, who suspected as gastric cancer by PET/CT, was pathologicaly confirmed as benign gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of gastric malignant tumors were 16/17, 6/7, 16/17 and 6/7, respectively. Six patients of stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ were all detected. Conclusions 18F-FDG PET/CT whole body scan is not only a feasible, safe, noninvasive and promising diagnostic tool in detecting and differentiating gastric cancer from benign tumor, but also can assist the management of disease.