Impact of Initial 18F-FDG PET/CT on the Management of Patients with Thoracic Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study
Impact de la TEP/TDM au 18F-FDG Initiale Sur la Prise en Charge des Patients Atteints d'Un Carcinome Épidermoïde de l'Œsophage Thoracique : Une Étude Rétrospective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67260/hra.v4i7.7876Keywords:
PET/CT, Thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, Management, Staging, Maximum standard uptake valueAbstract
Introduction. Underpinning the tailored management of patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC) is an accurate assessment of the extent of the disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incremental management impact of integrated PET/CT in a cohort of patients undergoing PET/CT as part of initial staging investigations for TESCC. Methods. Retrospective study of ESCC patients that underwent PET/CT for initial staging. Data were retrospectively collected between June 2005 and December 2012. Management impact was determined by comparing pre-PET/CT management plans with post-PET/CT management plans including changes in treatment goal (curative vs. palliative) and therapy adjustments. Results. 164 patients (53 females; median age 60.5) were included. PET/CT changed the management in 87/164 patients (53.1%). 48/164 (29.3%) were of high impact and 39/164 (23.8%) of medium impact. Intended therapy was changed from curative to palliative in 21 patients, while one patient had his therapy changed from palliative to curative. In 15 patients, treatment modality was changed without a change in treatment intent, and in 39 the delivery of therapy or diagnostic procedure was changed. The treatment of 69/164 patients (42.1%) was not changed after PET/CT results. The management of eight patients was unaffected by PET/CT. Conclusion. PET/CT provides incremental staging and decision-making information, altering management in half of patients. It thus plays a powerful role in stratifying risk during primary staging of TESCC, by improving the selection of individualized treatment strategies. These findings support the inclusion of PET-CT in the initial staging algorithm for TESCC.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ela Bella Amos, Luo Kongjia, Zhang Ya-Rui, Banga Nkomo Douglas, Eya Stéphane, Yang Hong, Fu Jian-Hua, Kobe Fokalbo Zéphanie, Bang Aristide, Mve Mvondo Charles
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