Abstract

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of FDG PET/CT scan in the evaluation of recurrent cervical cancer. Methods: This is a retrospective review of clinical data and imaging studies of all patients with diagnosis of cervical carcinoma referred to our institution for FDG PET/CT evaluation between 2005-2009. We identified those patients referred for re-staging after first-line treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and/or external beam radiation. From a total of 48 women identified, 29 met our criteria (mean age (years): 52+-14). Biopsy, imaging and clinical follow up over a 9-month period served as the gold standard. Results: Twenty patients had squamous cell carcinoma (69%) and nine had adenocarcinoma or other histology (31%). Recurrent disease was confirmed in 16 patients and 13 patients had no evidence of recurrence. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) in the primary site was 9.3 +- 6.6 and in distant sites 7.3 +- 3.3. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 100%, 92%, 80%, 100% and 94% respectively for identifying local recurrence; 92%, 100%, 100%, 92% and 96% for distant metastasis; and 94%, 92%, 94%, 92% and 93% respectively for overall recurrence detection (95% confidence interval). Conclusion: FDG PET/CT has high efficacy in identifying residual or recurrent cervical cancer after first line treatment.