PET/CT imaging in the diagnosis and treatment planning in recurrent ovarian cancer

Abstract

follow-up period after primary treatment. No PET/CT was performed in the control group. Results: Microscopic recurrence of ovarian cancer in the region of pelvic lymph nodes was found in 29 out of 34 patients with SUV ≥2.4 and in 6 out of 51 patients with SUV <2.4. SUV ≥3.5 for para-aortic lymph nodes was associated with recurrence in this region in 24/25 cases. SUV <3.5 confirmed recurrence in only 1 out of 60 patients. Conclusions: PET/CT is characterized by high efficacy in detecting recurrence after primary treatment. PET/CT performed in the study group as part of monitoring patients after standard treatment of ovarian cancer was associated with longer survival after secondary treatment compared to women without PET/CT follow-up. SUV threshold for active neoplastic process was 3.5 for para-aortic location and 2.4 for pelvic lymph nodes.