Prognostic value of metabolic parameters measured by pretreatment dual-time-point 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with intrahepatic or perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: A STROBE study

The purpose of this study was to determine the glucose metabolism at delay phase measured by pretreatment dual-time-point ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/ computed tomography (CT) provides prognostic information independent of well-known prognostic factors in patients with intrahepatic or perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (ICC or PCC).From July 2012 to December 2017, 55 patients (men 27, women 28, mean age 68 ± 11 years) with pathologically proven ICC or PCC were enrolled in this retrospective study. The dual-time-point ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT as part of a staging workup was performed in all patients. The patient''s data includes age, sex, serum CA19-9, presence of LN or distant metastasis, early SUVmax (early maximum standardized uptake value [eSUV]), delay SUVmax (delay maximum standardized uptake value [dSUV]), retention index of SUVmax (percent change of maximum standardized uptake values [ΔSUV]), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and histopathology including pCEA, p53, Ki-67 index. The analysis of the relationship between metabolic parameters and survival was done using the Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox proportional hazards regression model.Median survival for all patients was 357 days. Median early and delay SUVmax was 5.2 (range: 2.0–21.4) and 6.5 (range 2.7–24.5), respectively. The overall survival was found to be significantly related to eSUV, dSUV, ΔSUV, age, serum CA19-9 and NLR in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, dSUV (P = .014, 95%CI; 1.30–10.7, HR 3.74) and ΔSUVmax (P = .037, 95%CI; 1.05–6.12, HR 2.5) were independent factors of overall survival. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis clearly showed the significant difference of overall survival between 2 groups (high eSUV, low eSUV + high ΔSUV vs low eSUV and ΔSUV, P < .001) among the comparisons of the SUV parameters on FDG PET. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis using combinations of the SUV parameters, the 2 groups [eSUV + ΔSUV (P = .0001, area under the curve [AUC] 0.68) and dSUV + ΔSUV (P = .0002, AUC 0.71)] showed significantly larger AUC than the other groups applying eSUV or dSUV alone (AUC 0.61 and AUC 0.68).dSUV and ΔSUV on pretreatment dual-time-point ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT can be useful parameters in the prediction of survival in patients with ICC or PCC.     

Precise characterization of a solitary pulmonary nodule using tumor shadow disappearance rate-corrected F-18 FDG PET and enhanced CT

We aimed to characterize solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) using imaging parameters for F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) or enhanced CT corrected by tumor shadow disappearance rate (TDR) to reflect the tissue density.We enrolled 51 patients with an SPN who underwent PET/CT and chest CT with enhancement. The FDG uptake of SPN was evaluated using maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on PET/CT. The mean Hounsfield unit (HU) for each SPN was evaluated over the region of interest on nonenhanced and enhanced CT images. The change in mean HU (HUpeak-pre) was quantified by subtracting the mean HU of the preenhanced CT from that of the post-enhanced CT. TDR was defined as the ratio of the tumor area, which disappears at a mediastinal window, to the tumor area of the lung window. We investigated which parameters (SUVmax or HUpeak-pre) could contribute to the characterization of SPN classified by TDR value and whether diagnostic performance could be improved using TDR-corrected imaging parameters.For SPN with higher tissue density (TDR <42%, n = 22), high value of SUVmax (≥3.1) was a significant factor to predict malignancy (P = .006). High value of HUpeak-pre (≥38) was a significant factor to characterize SPN (P = .002) with lower tissue density (TDR ≥42%, n = 29). The combined approach using TDR-corrected parameters had better predictive performance to characterize SPN than SUVmax only (P = .031).Applying imaging parameters such as SUVmax or HUpeak-pre in consideration of tissue density calculated with TDR could contribute to accurate characterization of SPN.     

Preoperative Standardized Uptake Value of Metastatic Lymph Nodes Measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT Improves the Prediction of Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

This study assessed whether preoperative maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) measured by ¹⁸F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) could improve the prediction of prognosis in gastric cancer.One hundred fifty-one patients with gastric cancer and pathologically confirmed LN involvement who had undergone preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT prior to curative surgical resection were retrospectively enrolled. To obtain nodal SUVmax, a transaxial image representing the highest ¹⁸F-FDG uptake was carefully selected, and a region of interest was manually drawn on the highest ¹⁸F-FDG accumulating LN. Conventional prognostic parameters and PET findings (primary tumor and nodal SUVmax) were analyzed for prediction of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Furthermore, prognostic accuracy of survival models was assessed using c-statistics.Of the 151 patients, 38 (25%) experienced recurrence and 34 (23%) died during follow-up (median follow-up, 48 months; range, 5–74 months). Twenty-seven patients (18%) showed positive ¹⁸F-FDG nodal uptake (range, 2.0–22.6). In these 27 patients, a receiver-operating characteristic curve demonstrated a nodal SUVmax of 2.8 to be the optimal cutoff for predicting RFS and OS. The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that nodal SUVmax (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.71, P < 0.0001), pathologic N (pN) stage (HR = 2.58, P = 0.0058), and pathologic T (pT) stage (HR = 1.77, P = 0.0191) were independent prognostic factors for RFS. Also, nodal SUVmax (HR = 2.80, P < 0.0001) and pN stage (HR = 2.28, P = 0.0222) were independent prognostic factors for OS. A predictive survival model incorporating conventional risk factors (pT/pN stage) gave a c-statistic of 0.833 for RFS and 0.827 for OS, whereas a model combination of nodal SUVmax with pT/pN stage gave a c-statistic of 0.871 for RFS (P = 0.0355) and 0.877 for OS (P = 0.0313).Nodal SUVmax measured by preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT is an independent prognostic factor for RFS and OS. Combining nodal SUVmax with pT/pN staging can improve survival prediction precision in patients with gastric cancer.     

Predictive value of metabolic activity detected by pre-operative 18F FDG PET/CT in ampullary adenocarcinoma

In ampullary adenocarcinoma cases, the clinical effects of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) have not yet been well-studied, unlike other prognostic factors that have been reported till date. This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in predicting the prognosis of ampullary adenocarcinoma.Thirty-eight patients who underwent pre-operative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and curative-intent resection of ampullary adenocarcinoma at Pusan National University Hospital (Pusan, South Korea) between 2008 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. We evaluated the clinicopathologic outcomes according to the SUVmax using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic analysis to arrive at a cutoff value.Lymph node metastasis was detected in 9 patients, and 15 patients experienced a recurrence during the follow-up period. Among 38 patients, 33 showed an increased FDG uptake by the main tumor. SUVmax of 4.55 was selected as a significant independent predictive factor for patient survival along with poor tumor differentiation and high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in multivariate analysis (P = .016, hazard ratio = 5.040). Patients with SUVmax under 4.55 exhibited significantly longer overall survival than the rest (<4.55 vs ≥4.55), and the 5-year overall survival was 82.8% versus 57.4% (P = .049).SUVmax of 4.55 on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT could be a predictive factor for tumor biology and long-term survival in patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma. Nevertheless, considering the cost aspect and its limited prognostic effect, this study seems to require more patient and multicenter studies.     

Early prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using contrast-enhanced ultrasound in breast cancer

Early prediction of non-response is essential in order to avoid inefficient treatments. The objective of this study was to determine the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for early predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients.Between March 2018 and October 2019, 93 consecutive patients with histologically proven breast cancer scheduled for NAC were enrolled. Conventional ultrasound and CEUS imaging were performed before NAC and after two cycles of NAC. CEUS parameters were compared with pathologic response. Multiple logistic regression analyses were utilized to explore CEUS parameters to predict pCR, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the predictive ability.Therapeutic response was obtained from 25 (27%) patients with pCR and 68 (73%) with non-pCR. Compared to non-pCR, pCR cases have a significantly higher proportion of homogeneous enhancement feature (56% vs 14%, P < .001) and centripetal enhancement (52% vs 23%, P = .012). A significant decrease in peak intensity (PI) was observed after two cycles of NAC. Compared with non-pCR patients, the kinetic parameters PI change (PI%) was higher in pCR patients (P < .001). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated two independent predictors of pCR: internal homogeneity (odds ratio, 4.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.20–19.65; P = .027) and PI% (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.15; P = .007). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, internal homogeneity and PI%, with area under curve of 0.71 and 0.84, predicted pCR with sensitivity (56%, 95%) and specificity (85%, 70%), respectively.Internal homogeneity and PI% of CEUS may be useful in the noninvasive early prediction of pCR in patients with breast cancer.     

Management of the axilla with sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: A single-center study

The neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the gold standard initial treatment of the locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). However, the reliability of methods that used to assess response the NAC is still controversial. In this study, patients with LABC who underwent NAC were evaluated retrospectively. The assessment of response to NAC and the effect of axillary approach were investigated on LABC course.The study comprised 94 patients who received NAC with an LABC diagnosis between 2008 and 2020. In our center, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, and ¹⁸ F-flouro deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and, for some patients, fine-needle aspiration biopsy of suspicious axillary lymph nodes have been performed to assess the effects of NAC. Patients with positive hormone receptor status received adjuvant hormonotherapy, and those with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene expression were treated with trastuzumab. Adjuvant radiotherapy was applied to all patients undergoing breast conserving surgery. Radiotherapy was applied to the peripheral lymphatic areas in the clinical N1 to N3 cases regardless of the response to NAC.The clinical response to the NAC was found that partial in 59% and complete in 19% of the patients. However, 21.2% of the patients were unresponsive. The mean of lymph nodes that excised with the procedure of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was 2.4 (range 1–7). In 22 of the 56 patients who underwent SLNB, axillary dissection (AD) was added to the procedure upon detection of metastasis in frozen section examinations. There was no difference between the SLNB and AD groups regarding overall survival (OS; P = .472) or disease-free survival (DFS) rates (P = .439). However, there were differences in the OS (P < .05) and DFS (P = .05) rates on the basis of the LABC histopathological subtypes.The study found that a relationship between molecular subtypes and LABC survival. However, the post-NAC axillary approach had no effect on OS or DFS. Therefore, multiple imaging and interventional methods are needed for the evaluation of NAC response. In addition, morbidity can be avoided after AD by the use of SLNB in cN0 patients.     

Prognostic Value of the Sum of Metabolic Tumor Volume of Primary Tumor and Lymph Nodes Using 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients With Cervical Cancer

This is an observational study to determine the most relevant parameter of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for predicting recurrence in cervical cancer.Fifty-six patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer who underwent pretreatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were enrolled. PET parameters including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of both primary tumor and pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph nodes were analyzed. SUVmax-S was defined as the sum of the SUVmax of primary tumor and the higher SUVmax of either pelvic or para-aortic lymph nodes. MTV-S was defined as the sum of the MTV of primary tumor and pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes. TLG-S was calculated in the same way as MTV-S. We evaluated the relationship between these PET parameters and recurrence-free survival (RFS).Univariate analysis revealed that higher FIGO stage (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.68–18.68, P = 0.005), lymph node metastasis (HR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.08–10.84, P = 0.037), MTV of primary tumor >47.81 cm³ (HR = 6.20, 95% CI: 1.35–28.48, P = 0.019), TLG of primary tumor >215.02 (HR = 11.82, 95% CI: 1.52–91.96, P = 0.018), MTV-S > 59.01 cm³ (HR = 8.24, 95% CI: 1.80–37.77, P = 0.007), and TLG-S > 224.15 (HR =  13.09, 95% CI: 1.68–101.89, P = 0.014) were associated with RFS. In multivariate analysis, FIGO stage (HR = 4.87, 95% CI: 1.38–17.18, P = 0.014) and MTV-S > 59.01 cm³ (HR = 7.37, 95% CI: 1.54–35.16, P = 0.012) were determined to be independent predictive factors for RFS.Our preliminary results reveal that MTV-S is an independent prognostic factor for RFS in patients with cervical cancer treated by definitive chemoradiotherapy.     

Necrosis on pre-radiotherapy 18F-FDG PET/CT is a predictor for complete metabolic response in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

To investigate necrosis on pre-radiotherapy (RT) ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT (PET_NECROSİS) as a predictor of complete metabolic response (CMR) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).We evaluated patients with inoperable stage I–III NSCLC who underwent pre- and post-radiotherapy ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. The relationship between CMR and PET_NECROSIS, SUVmax, gross tumor volume calculated with ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT (GTV_PET-CT), tumor size, histology, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and RT dose was assessed using logistic regression analysis. To evaluate necrosis on ¹⁸F FDG PET/CT, we drew a region of interest (ROI) in the area showing visually very low/or no fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on PET images. If the SUVmax was lower than the blood pool SUVmax and showed significantly lower attenuation (10–30 Hounsfield units [HU]) from the surrounding tissue on non-intravenous contrast-enhanced low-dose correlative CT, we defined it as necrotic (PET_NECROSİS).Fifty-three patients were included in this study. The mean age was 68.1 ± 9.8 years. Twenty-one patients had adenocarcinoma, and 32 had squamous cell carcinoma. All parameters were independent of histologic status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SUVmax ≤11.6 vs >11.6, (P = .003; OR, 7.670, 95CI%: 2.013–29.231) and PET_NECROSİS absence/presence were independent predictors for CMR (P = .028, OR: 6.704, 95CI% 1.214–30.394).The necrosis on ¹⁸F FDG PET/CT and SUVmax > 11.6 could be an imaging marker for the complete metabolic response after definitive chemoradiotherapy or definitive RT alone in patients with NSCLC.     

Evaluation of Dual Time Point Imaging 18F-FDG PET/CT in Differentiating Malignancy From Benign Gastric Disease

To assess the clinical value of dual time point imaging (DTPI) fluorine-18fludeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in differentiating malignancy and benign disease of patients with focally increased gastric uptake.Patients who present focally increased 18F-FDG uptake in gastric wall on conventional PET/CT imaging received delayed imaging. PET/CT scans were acquired at 1 and 2 hours (early and delayed imaging) after 18F-FDG injection. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) was calculated. The SUVmax of the early and delayed imaging acquisition were signed S1 and S2, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of the S1, S2, and the retention index (RI) were drawn to find the best cut-off point value for differential diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated, respectively.From September 2010 to May 2015, 74 patients (56 male and 18 female; age of 57 ± 12 years; range, 32–86 years) referring for areas of focally increased uptake of 18F-FDG in gastric wall received delayed imaging. The S1 was 5.0 ± 1.4 (range, 1.9–11.3), and S2 was 5.9 ± 2.7 (range, 1.0–16.3). The SUVmax were increased in 52 patients in delayed imaging, with 85% (44/52 cases) appeared malignant; decreased in 20 patients, and 90% (18/20 cases) were benign; 2 patients of benign had not changed. The change of SUVmax between malignant and benign was significant difference (t = −5.785, P = 0.000).Taking the S1, S2, and RI higher than 4.6%, 5.1%, and 13% as positive diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity were 65.2%,87.0%, and 87.0%, respectively; the specificity were 64.3%, 82.1%, and 89.3%; the Youden index were 0.332, 0.693, and 0.770; AUC were 0.635 (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 0.507–0.764), 0.873 (95% CI, 0.786–0.961), and 0.923 (95% CI, 0.854–0.992).DTPI is more precise to distinct malignant from benign gastric diseases compared with conventional imaging, and it is readily accessible.     

Positron Emission Tomography With 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose in Patients With Sickle Cell Acute Chest Syndrome

The acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the main cause of mortality among adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Its pathophysiology is still unclear. Using positron emission tomography (PET) with ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose [18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG)], we explored the relationship between regional lung density and lung metabolism, as a reflection of lung neutrophilic infiltration during ACS.Patients were prospectively enrolled in a single-center study. Dual modality chest PET/computed tomography (CT) scans were performed, with ¹⁸F-FDG emission scans for quantification of regional ¹⁸F-FDG uptake and CT scans with radiocontrast agent to check for pulmonary artery thrombosis. Regional lung ¹⁸F-FDG uptake was quantified in ACS patients and in SCD patients without ACS (SCD non-ACS controls). Maximal (SUVmax) and mean (SUVmean) standardized uptake values were computed.Seventeen patients with ACS (mean age 28.3 ± 6.4 years) were included. None died nor required invasive mechanical ventilation. The main lung opacity on CT scans was lower lobe consolidation. Lungs of patients with ACS exhibited higher SUVmax than those of SCD non-ACS controls (2.5 [2.1–2.9] vs 0.8 [0.6–1.0]; P < 0.0001). Regional SUVmax and SUVmean was higher in lower than in upper lobes of ACS patients (P < 0.001) with a significant correlation between lung density and SUVmax (R² = 0.78). SUVmean was higher in upper lobes of ACS patients than in lungs of SCD non-ACS controls (P < 0.001). Patients with SUVmax >2.5 had longer intensive care unit (ICU) stay than others (7 [6–11] vs 4 [3–6] days; P = 0.016).Lungs of patients with ACS exhibited higher ¹⁸F-FDG uptake than SCD non-ACS controls. Lung apices had normal aeration and lower ¹⁸F-FDG uptake than lung bases, but higher ¹⁸F-FDG uptake than lungs of SCD non-ACS controls. Patients with higher lung ¹⁸F-FDG uptake had longer ICU stay than others.     

Predictive Value of 18F-FDG PET and CT Morphologic Features for Recurrence in Pathological Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Patients with pathological stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may relapse despite complete surgical resection without lymphovascular invasion. A method of selecting a high-risk group for adjuvant therapy is necessary. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and the morphologic features of computed tomography (CT) for recurrence in pathological stage IA NSCLC.One hundred forty-five patients with pathological stage IA NSCLC who underwent pretreatment with FDG positron emission tomography and CT evaluations were retrospectively enrolled. The associations among tumor recurrence and patient characteristics, maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) of primary tumors, and CT imaging features were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to quantify the predictive value of these factors.Tumor recurrence developed in 21 (14.5%) of the 145 patients, and the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 77%. The univariate analysis demonstrated that SUVmax, the grade of histological differentiation, tumor size, and the presence of bronchovascular bundle thickening were significant predictive factors (P < 0.05). A higher SUVmax (≥2.5) (P = 0.021), a lower ground-glass opacity ratio (≤17%) (P = 0.014), and the presence of bronchovascular bundle thickening (P = 0.003) were independent predictive factors of tumor recurrence in the multivariate analysis. The use of this predictive model yielded a greater area under the ROC curve (0.877), which suggests good discrimination.The combined evaluation of FDG uptake and CT morphologic features may be helpful in the prediction of recurrence in patients with pathological stage IA NSCLC and in the stratification of a high-risk group for postoperative adjuvant therapy or prospective clinical trials.     

Effectiveness of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient for Predicting the Response to Chemoradiation Therapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The efficacy of the different apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in predicting different responses to preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is controversial. We did this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of different ADCs predicting different responses to CRT in patients with LARC.We systematically searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for articles published from January 1, 1990, to June 3, 2014. Pooled estimates were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model for the ADCs before and after CRT (pre- and post-ADC), as well as the change between the pre- and post-ADC (ΔADC). The values of the 3 ADCs for judging different response endpoints, which were defined according to the tumor grading (TRG) system and downstaging of T (tumor) or N (nodal) stages (TN downstaging), were assessed.We included 16 studies with a total of 826 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, DOR, and AUC were 75% (95% CI 57%–87%), 70% (95% CI 50%–84%), 6.81 (95% CI 2.46–18.88), and 0.79 (95% CI 0.75–0.82), respectively, for the pre-ADC in predicting a good response; 76% (95% CI 63%–85%), 87% (95% CI 78%–92%), 20.68 (95% CI 11.76–36.39), and 0.89 (95% CI 0.86–0.91), respectively, for the post-ADC; and 78% (95% CI 65%–87%), 77% (95% CI 62%–87%), 11.82 (95% CI 4.65–30.04), and 0.84 (95% CI 0.81–0.87), respectively, for the ΔADC. The post-ADC demonstrated the highest specificity and DOR (P < 0.001), although sensitivity did not differ between the 3 types of ADC (P = 0.380, 0.192, and 0.214). For predicting a pathological complete response (pCR), the post-ADC had the highest specificity (P < 0.001and 0.030) but lowest sensitivity (P < 0.001). The ΔADC had the highest DOR; however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.146).The ADC is a reliable and reproducible measure and could serve as a promising noninvasive tool for evaluating the response to CRT in patients with LARC; the post-ADC and ΔADC are particularly promising. The ΔADC had the highest diagnostic performance to predict a pCR compared with the pre-ADC and post-ADC. The value of the ADCs to predict T or N downstaging requires further investigation.     

Interrelationships Between Ki67, HER2/neu,p53, ER,and PR Status and Their Associations With Tumor Grade and Lymph Node Involvement in Breast Carcinoma Subtypes: Retrospective-Observational Analytical Study

Various predictive and prognostic factors could affect breast carcinoma behavior, but to date no definitive correlation has been established between them and breast carcinoma subtypes. The present study was conducted to examine the interrelationships of these predictive and prognostic factors as well as their effects on breast carcinoma subtypes.The archives of all patients with breast carcinoma (from 2008 to 2014) were studied. Patients’ data were extracted using a checklist that included age, histology type, size and grade of tumor, lymph node involvement, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status, along with the overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2/neu) and the rate of Ki67 and p53 mutations. All data were analyzed by SPSS-17 software with χ² and Fisher exact tests, as well as the least significant difference pairwise comparison test.A total of 566 patients’ records were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 50 ± 12.9 with an age range of 17 to 98 years. A meaningful correlation was found between age and the type of tumor (P = 0.001). Infiltrating lobular carcinoma had a higher ER positivity between groups (85.7%), whereas noninvasive carcinomas had a higher PR positivity (67%). In addition, a meaningful correlation was detected between the type and grade of tumor (P = 0.001). No meaningful relationship was observed between the type of tumor and HER2/neu overexpression and number of lymph nodes involved. Between the groups, medullary carcinoma had the highest Ki67 index (P = 0.007). Meaningful correlation was found between the grade of tumor and lymph node involvement (P = 0.005) and also with HER2/neu overexpression (P = 0.002). Higher grades had greater positivity in Ki67 index and p53 mutation rates (P = 0.002, P = 0.01). HER2/neu positive tumors had a higher Ki67 index (P = 0.03).Higher Ki67 index tumors showed more HER2/neu overexpression, larger size, and more lymph node involvement compared with other types and maybe considered aggressive. Moreover, in young patients with breast carcinoma, the rates of Ki67 with the overexpression of HER2/neu and p53 mutations are higher, and it shows a more aggressive behavior than other tumors assessed in this age group.     

Intravoxel Incoherent Motion-Magnetic Resonance Imaging as an Early Predictor of Treatment Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in early predicting the treatment response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Forty-eight patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were imaged with IVIM-MRI (14 b-factors, 0 – 1000 s/mm²) on a 3.0-T Magnetic resonance system, at the baseline, and repeatedly at the third and 21st day after NAC started. The IVIM-derived parameters (D, pure diffusion coefficient; f, perfusion fraction; and D^∗, pseudodiffusion coefficient) were calculated with the Interactive Data Language version 6.3 software. The baseline parameters and their corresponding changes (Δparameter_(day)) during NAC were compared using the Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Variation analyses of IVIM-derived parameters were tested with intraclass correlation coefficient. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to estimate the best diagnostic accuracy. Statistical analyses were performed on the SPSS 18.0 software, with a 2-tailed probability value, P < 0.05 was considered significant.Among recruited patients, 37 cases were categorized as responders and 11 cases as nonresponders after NAC completed. The intra- and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient of IVIM-derived parameters were excellent, which ranged from 0.858 to 0.971. Compared with the baseline value, at the third and 21st day, the D value was significantly higher and the D^∗ value significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, f parameter only changed slightly (P > 0.05). Compared with nonresponders, responders presented a notably lower baseline D value and higher ΔD₃, ΔD₂₁, ΔD₃^∗_, ΔD₂₁^∗, and Δf₂₁ (P < 0.05), but no significant change in Δf₃ was observed (P > 0.1). The receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses indicated that the threshold of baseline D values that best predicted the responders for primary nasopharynx tumors and metastatic lymph nodes were 0.911 × 10⁻³ mm²/s versus 0.951 × 10⁻³ mm²/s, and their corresponding area under curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.714 versus 0.774, 0.658 versus 0.538, and 0.818 versus 0.944, respectively.IVIM-MRI can potentially early predict the treatment response of NAC for NPC patients. The baseline D value, and early changes in D and D^∗ value are better predictors of the chemotherapeutic responsiveness.     

Clinical outcome of neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancer treatment

To determine the clinical and pathological outcome of locally advanced rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (chemoradiotherapy [CRT]) followed by curative surgery and to identify predictive factors of pathological complete response (pCR).Locally advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing CRT followed by curative surgery from January 2012 to December 2017 were included. Patient''s demographic data, pretreatment tumor characteristics, type of CRT regimens, type of surgery, postoperative complications, pathological reports and follow up records were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify predictive factors for pCR. Five-year disease free and overall survival were estimated by Kaplan–Meier method and compared between pCR and non-pCR groups.A total of 85 patients were analyzed. Eighteen patients (21.1%) achieved pCR. The sphincter-saving surgery rate was 57.6%. After univariate analyses, tumor length >4 cm (P = .007) and positive lymph nodes (P = .040) were significantly associated with decreased rate of pCR. Complete clinical response was significantly associated with higher rate of pCR (P = .015). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that tumor length >4 cm (P = .010) was significantly associated with decreased rate of pCR. After a median follow-up of 65 months (IQR 34–79), the calculated 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 81.4% and 69.7%, respectively. Patients who achieved pCR tend to had longer 5-year disease-free survival (P = .355) and overall survival (P = .361) than those who did not.Tumor length >4 cm was associated with decreased rate of pCR in locally advanced rectal cancer who had CRT followed by surgery. Longer waiting time or more intense adjuvant treatment may be considered to improved pCR and oncological outcomes.     

Pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant anti-HER2 therapy is associated with HER2 immunohistochemistry score in HER2-positive early breast cancer

To evaluate whether pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapy is dependent on the HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) score.A total of 181 HER2-positive early breast cancer patients who had received neoadjuvant anti-HER2 therapy were included in this study. Associations were examined between IHC score and tumor pCR status (commonly defined by ypT0+ypN0, ypT0/is+ypN0, or ypT0/is).In trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant-treated patients, ypT0+ypN0 was achieved in 46.0% of patients with HER2 IHC 3+ tumors but only 25.0% of patients with HER2 IHC 2+/fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-positive tumors (P = .016). When pCR was defined as ypT0/is+ypN0 or ypT0/is, 54.7% and 61.3% of patients with HER2 IHC 3+ tumors had a pCR, whereas only 29.5% and 38.6% with HER2 IHC 2+/FISH-positive tumors achieved pCR (P = .004 and P = .008, respectively). The association between dual HER2 blockade and pCR was almost exclusively confined to HER2 IHC 3+ tumors (ypT0+ypN0: 61.9% vs 38.9%, P = .013; ypT0/is+ypN0: 71.4% vs 47.4%, P = .009; and ypT0/is: 81.0% vs 52.6%, P = .002) and was absent in HER2 IHC 2+/FISH-positive tumors. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that HER2 IHC 3+ tumors had a significantly higher probability of achieving ypT0+ypN0 (odds ratio [OR], 0.265; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.109–0.645; P = .003), ypT0/is+ypN0 (OR, 0.221; 95% CI, 0.094–0.521; P = .001), and ypT0/is (OR, 0.254; 95% CI, 0.111–0.583; P = .001) than HER2 IHC 2+/FISH-positive tumors. A significantly better pCR rate was also found in patients with T1 tumors and patients with dual HER2 blockade.The pCR rate was highly correlated with the HER2 IHC score in neoadjuvant anti-HER2 treatment. The addition of pertuzumab to a neoadjuvant trastuzumab-based regimen improved pCR rates, but there was no significant difference in pCR rates in the IHC 2+/FISH-positive group. This suggests that HER2 IHC scores can predict the effectiveness of treatment.     

PET/CT-Based Dosimetry in 90Y-Microsphere Selective Internal Radiation Therapy: Single Cohort Comparison With Pretreatment Planning on 99mTc-MAA Imaging and Correlation With Treatment Efficacy

⁹⁰Y PET/CT can be acquired after ⁹⁰Y-microsphere selective radiation internal therapy (SIRT) to describe radioactivity distribution. We performed dosimetry using ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT data to evaluate treatment efficacy and appropriateness of activity planning from ^99mTc-MAA scan and SPECT/CT.Twenty-three patients with liver malignancy were included in the study. ^99mTc-MAA was injected during planning angiography and whole body ^99mTc-MAA scan and liver SPECT/CT were acquired. After SIRT using ⁹⁰Y-resin microsphere, ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT was acquired. A partition model (PM) using 4 compartments (tumor, intarget normal liver, out-target normal liver, and lung) was adopted, and absorbed dose to each compartment was calculated based on measurements from ^99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT and ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT, respectively, to be compared with each other. Progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated in terms of tumor absorbed doses calculated by ^99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT and ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT results.Lung shunt fraction was overestimated on ^99mTc-MAA scan compared with ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT (0.060 ± 0.037 vs. 0.018 ± 0.026, P < 0.01). Tumor absorbed dose exhibited a close correlation between the results from ^99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT and ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT (r = 0.64, P < 0.01), although the result from ^99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT was significantly lower than that from ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT (135.4 ± 64.2 Gy vs. 185.0 ± 87.8 Gy, P < 0.01). Absorbed dose to in-target normal liver was overestimated on ^99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT compared with PET/CT (62.6 ± 38.2 Gy vs. 45.2 ± 32.0 Gy, P = 0.02). Absorbed dose to out-target normal liver did not differ between ^99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT and ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT (P = 0.49). Patients with tumor absorbed dose >200 Gy on ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT had longer PFS than those with tumor absorbed dose ≤200 Gy (286 ± 56 days vs. 92 ± 20 days, P = 0.046). Tumor absorbed dose calculated by ^99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT was not a significant predictor for PFS.Activity planning based on ^99mTc-MAA scan and SPECT/CT can be effectively used as a conservative method. Post-SIRT dosimetry based on ⁹⁰Y-microsphere PET/CT is an effective method to predict treatment efficacy.     

Predictors of Pathologic Complete Response in Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Total Mesorectal Excision After Preoperative Chemoradiation

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care for patients with stage II and III rectal cancer. This strategy leads to pathologic complete response (pCR) in a significant number of patients. Factors predictive of pCR are currently being extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical factors that might be predictive of pCR.This study was a retrospective analysis of rectal cancer patients from January 2004 through December 2012. A total of 332 stage II and III patients with middle and low rectal cancer (≤10 cm) who received CRT and underwent curative total mesorectal excision were eligible. The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy, and 72.6% of patients received infusional 5-fluorouracil with leucovorin, whereas 19.6% of patients received TS-1 with irinotecan, and 7.8% of patients received xeloda only. Pathologic complete response was confirmed by using pathologic specimens and analyzed based on predictive clinical factors.Among the 332 patients, 27.4% (n = 91) achieved pCR. Age, sex, body mass index, clinical T and N stages, tumor differentiation, the chemotherapy agent for CRT, and the time interval between CRT and surgery did not differ between the pCR and non-pCR groups. Carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) levels before CRT were 4.61 ± 7.38 ng/mL in the pCR group and 10.49 ± 23.83 ng/mL in the non-pCR group (P = 0.035). Post-CRT CEA levels were 1.4 ± 1.07 ng/mL in the pCR group and 2.16 ± 2.8 ng/mL in the non-pCR group (P = 0.014), and the proportion of middle rectal cancer patients was higher in pCR group (54.9%, P = 0.028). The results from multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher tumor location (odds ratio 2.151; P = 0.003) and low post-CRT CEA level (odds ratio 0.789; P = 0.04) were independent predictive factors for pCR.Tumor location and post-CRT CEA level were predictive factors in pCR for rectal cancer patients. Therefore, these factors may be important determinants in achieving pCR, and may also be used to predict oncologic outcomes.     

Evaluation of Mediastinal Lymph Nodes in Sarcoidosis,Sarcoid Reaction,and Malignant Lymph Nodes Using CT and FDG-PET/CT

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical, computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) findings of sarcoidosis, sarcoid reaction, and malignant lymph nodes (LNs) to the results of transbronchial LN aspiration and biopsy (TBNA).The TBNA results of mediastinal and hilar LNs of 152 patients in our hospital from July 2008 to March 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Two independent radiologists measured the size and attenuation of LNs on CT and assessed the probability of the 3 categories: sarcoidosis (n = 36), sarcoid reaction (n = 25), or malignant LNs (n = 91). The total volume and attenuation of LNs were measured using Image J (NIH). The median maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV) of the 3 mediastinal and hilar LNs on PET/CT was obtained.There was no significantly different CT finding between sarcoidosis and sarcoid reaction. Multivariate analysis showed that the age, total volume of LNs, and number of enlarged LNs significantly differed between sarcoid reaction and malignant LNs. Sarcoid reaction tends to be occurred in young patients (P = 0.007), the total volume of LNs was smaller (P = 0.04) than that of malignant LNs, and there were significantly more LNs >1 cm (P = 0.005). The median maxSUV of the 3 highest SUVs of the LNs did not significantly differ between the 3 entities.