Accuracy of 18-F-FDG PET imaging in the follow up of endometrial cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature

Abstract

Objectives: We reviewed the available literature on the accuracy of 18-F-FDG PET imaging in the follow up of the endometrial cancer patients and presented the results in systematic review and meta-analysis format

Methods: Medline, SCOPUS, ISI web of knowledge, Springer, and Science direct were searched with "PET AND Endometr*" as key words. All studies that evaluated the accuracy of 18-F-FDG imaging in the follow up of treated endometrial carcinoma were included if enough data could be extracted for calculation of sensitivity and/or specificity.

Results: Eleven studies (541 patients in total) were included in the analysis. Pooled diagnostic indices (patient basis) for detection of overall recurrence were as follows: sensitivity 95.8% [92.2-98.1], specificity 92.5% [89.3-94.9], positive likelihood ratio (LR+) 9.53 [6.52-13.91], negative likelihood ratio (LR-) 0.075 [0.044-0.128], and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) 204 [91.97-453.5]. 18-F-FDG performance was better in studies conducted by PET/CT as compared to PET. The treatment plan changed in 22-35% of the studied patients.

Conclusion: 18-F-FDG PET is an accurate method for detection and localization of recurrence in post-therapy follow up of endometrial carcinoma. It can also change the treatment planning by localizing the recurrent lesions.