Significance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Characterization of Equivocal Lesions in High-Risk Testicular Carcinoma in Restaging Setting

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Chemistry, Government College University (GCUF), Kotwali Road, Gurunanakpura, 38000, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

2 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kuwait Cancer Control Center, Ministry of Health, Kuwait.

3 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait.

4 Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Jaber Al-Ahmad Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Kuwait.

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the role of Positron emission tomography (PET) -computed tomography (CT) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in the restaging of high-risk testicular cancer. Methods: Forty-five patients (mean age of 38.1±11.3 years and range 23-81 years) with testicular carcinoma, underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT during their clinical course were prospectively selected. PET positivity was defined as a site of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake in tissue histologically proven or clinically or radiographically suspected to represent tissue involvement. The sites of disease were characterized as either nodal or extranodal. All patients were followed-up for at least 12 months with a diagnostic and/or functional imaging modality. Results: Of the 45 patients 38 (84%) patient presented with seminoma and 7 (16%) were Non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. Analysis of secondary disease spectrum showed nodal involvement in 65%, osseous involvement in 23% and mixed visceral/soft tissue lesions in 12% of patients. Nineteen (42%) were negative for any metastatic disease. All negative patients remain disease free in the follow-up of one year. Out of the positive 26/45 patients, PET-CT showed progressive disease in 3/26, stable disease 1/26 and partial response in 2/26 and complete metabolic resolution in 20/26 patients. 18F-FDG PET-CT was able to characterize all patients leading to significant change of primary decision of wait and watch to go for treatment and vice versa. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET-CT scan is potentially an excellent tool for characterization of equivocal lesions on CT scan in the restaging settings and follow up of high-risk testicular cancer patients.

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 21, Issue 2
February 2020
Pages 511-515

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 October 2019
  • Revise Date: 09 December 2019
  • Accept Date: 04 February 2020

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