Assessment of 18FDG PET and pathological response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for oesophageal cancer

14026 Background: Response to chemoradiation for oesophageal carcinoma on PET scanning is associated with pathological response and survival. Recent trials suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy for oesophageal cancer improves disease free and overall survival. We have examined the relationship between PET and histopathological response in those who have undergone surgical resection following preoperative chemotherapy in Northern Ireland. Methods: We assessed 20 consecutive patients with resectable oesophageal cancer. Staging in all patients included an endoscopic ultrasound scan and PET scan before and after preoperative chemotherapy and a PET scan after pre-operative chemotherapy. PET response (≥50% decrease in SUVmax) and pathological response were assessed independently by a Nuclear Medicine specialist and two histopathologists. Evidence of histopathological response was assessed using the Mandard criteria and by determining the proportion of the total blocks of tumour with evidence of viable disease. ...