FDG-PET and Survival Prediction in Pancreatic Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Maisey N R, Webb A, Flux G D, Padhani A, Cunningham D C, Ott R J, Norman A
Primary Institution: The Royal Marsden NHS Trust
Hypothesis
Can FDG-PET serve as an early marker of chemotherapy benefit in pancreatic cancer patients?
Conclusion
The absence of FDG uptake at one month after chemotherapy is associated with improved overall survival in pancreatic cancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Three of the 11 patients had no measurable FDG uptake prior to chemotherapy.
- Of the eight patients with measurable uptake prior to treatment, seven had a reduction in uptake at one month.
- Six out of the 11 patients had no measurable FDG uptake at one month.
- The overall survival in these patients ranged from 124 to 1460 days, with a median of 318.5 days.
- Patients with no residual FDG uptake had a median survival of 318.5 days compared to 139 days for those with residual uptake.
Takeaway
If a patient with pancreatic cancer shows no FDG uptake after one month of chemotherapy, they are likely to live longer.
Methodology
Patients underwent FDG-PET scans before and one month after chemotherapy, and results were compared with CT scan measurements.
Limitations
The study is a pilot with a small sample size and requires larger studies for confirmation.
Participant Demographics
Patients had histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.034
Statistical Significance
p=0.034
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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