TITLE:
Meta-Analysis to Determine the Diagnostic Value of 2-18Fluoro-2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography in Assessing Residual Tumors after Systemic Therapy for Metastatic Seminoma
AUTHORS:
Johannes Mueller, Thomas Schnoeller, Friedemann Zengerling, Sandra Waalkes, Andreas Al Ghazal, Florian Jentzmik, Mark Schrader, Andres Jan Schrader
KEYWORDS:
FDG-PET, Seminoma, Testicular Cancer, Diagnosis, Residual Disease
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Urology,
Vol.1 No.3,
August
9,
2011
ABSTRACT: Background: A meta-analysis was performed to determine the value of 2-18fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for assessing viable tumor residuals after chemotherapy in patients with pure seminoma. Materials and methods: This review included five studies published between 1999 and 2010 with a total of 130 patients who underwent both computed tomography (CT) and FDG-PET scanning for residual tumor detection after systemic therapy. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET and CT (tumor size ≤ or > 3 cm) in identifying vital tumor tissue. Results: On the average, FDG-PET had higher specificity (92% vs. 59%) and sensitivity (72% vs. 63%) as well as a higher positive predictive value (PPV) than the solely size-based CT assessment of residual tumors (70% vs. 28%). PEt also tended to have a higher negative predictive value (93% vs. 86%). Conclusion: The present evaluation of currently available data indicates that FDG-PET is superior to CT in detecting viable tumor residuals after chemotherapy in patients with metastatic seminoma. Its application can thus be recommended.