18F-FDG PET-CT metabolic findings can predict the short-term curative effects in esophageal cancer.

Objective: 18F-FDG PET-CT is a noninvasive approach extensively used to assess the therapeutic results and give a prognosis for esophageal cancer. This study is focused on examining the predictive value of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and pre-treatment maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of short-term curative effects demonstrated in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: This study carried out a retrospective analysis of 98 patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer who received treatment by radiotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. 18F-FDG PET-CT scan was carried out prior to the treatment. PET/CT images before treatment were evaluated by two high-level professional doctors as a double-blind method. MTV and SUVmax values were averaged and confirmed. In 1 to 3 months after the treatment, a deputy director of PET/CT center with much experience and a radiotherapist assessed the curative effect of all patients in line with the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST). Results: No considerable difference in SUVmax and MTV was observed between the two groups in cancer site, gender, age, or differential extent. In addition, there was a significant correlation between SUVmax and lesion length, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, and clinical stage. SUVmax was positively correlated to depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, MTV, lesion length, and clinical stage. The value of effective rate was up to 67.3% (66/98). There was a negative correlation between MTV as well as SUVmax, and curative effects in the short term, whereas the curative effects of MTV exceeded that of SUVmax. Conclusion: MTV and SUVmax before treatment serve to forecast curative effects in the short term of radiotherapy or combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for patients with esophageal cancer. MTV had a greater predictive effect than SUVmax.