PET-CT在局部晚期非小细胞肺癌调强放疗中的应用

目的 探讨PET-CT对局部晚期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）临床分期的诊断及其融合图像下勾画靶区对调强放疗计划的影响。方法 对13例局部晚期NSCLC患者同一体位分别进行增强CT和PET同机扫描,图像重建后传输至三维治疗计划系统（3D-TPS）进行自动图像融合。PET-CT下诊断患者的分期;分别在CT、PET-CT融合图像上勾画靶区,设计放疗计划。患者均采用5野调强放疗,常规处方剂量60Gy／30f。比较两个计划的V20、全肺平均受量（MLD）、心脏平均受量、脊髓最大受量。结果 5例患者分期改变：3例升高,2例下降;CT下勾画靶区GTV、PTV分别为（159.35±84.44）cm3 、（442.12±172.57）cm3,显著高于PET-CT下勾画的GTV和PTV［（148.22±75.08）cm3 、（428.64±157.91）cm3］; PET CT下计划的全肺V20、MLD、心脏平均受量、脊髓最大受量等各项剂量学参数均优于CT下的计划（P＜0.05）。结论 PET-CT较CT更有利于局部晚期NSCLC放疗靶区的勾画,可以更好地保护周围正常组织和器官。     

PET-CT在局部晚期非小细胞肺癌调强放疗靶区勾画中的应用及其影响

目的 探讨局部晚期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）调强适形放疗（IMRT）中应用PET-CT融合图像勾画靶区对靶体积及正常肺组织受照剂量的影响。方法 随机选择30例临床分期为ⅢA、ⅢB期的初治NSCLC患者,分别依据单纯增强CT图像和同一固定体位下PET-CT与CT融合后的图像勾画靶区和危及器官。分别比较两种影像资料下所勾画的肿瘤靶区（GTV）、临床靶区（PTV）体积;在PTV的处方剂量达60 Gy/30次时,比较两组放疗计划中双肺的肺受照5 Gy以上剂量的肺体积（V5）、肺受照20 Gy以上剂量的肺体积（V20）及肺受照射的平均剂量（MLD）。结果 30例患者在PET-CT融合组中勾画的GTV体积为（248.39±94.80）cm3,低于单纯CT组的（311.22±99.16）cm3,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。在GTV的基础上外扩得到PTV,30例患者在PET-CT融合组中的PTV体积为（356.68±92.73）cm3,低于单纯CT组的（433.58±107.89）cm3,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）。PTV处方剂量达到60 Gy/30次时,30例患者在PET-CT融合组中双肺V5、V20、MLD分别为（51.26±10.50）％、（25.71±5.17）％、（1595.27±148.24）cGy,均低于单纯CT组的（56.41±9.55）％、（29.09±4.10）％、（1693.59±100.60）cGy,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 应用PET-CT融合图像勾画靶区能提高靶区勾画的精确性,改善靶体积并降低正常肺组织的照射剂量。     

PET／CT确定非小细胞肺癌三维适形放疗靶区的临床研究

目的探讨PET—CT检查对非小细胞肺癌（non—small—cell lung cancer,NSCLC）患者的分期与治疗方案的影响和PET／CT所确定的靶区（GTV）与病理学肿瘤大小的关系。方法2006年3月一2008年7月间37例接受手术或放疗的NSCLC患者,根据PET／CT检查结果,21例患者进入手术组（有手术指征）,16例患者进入放疗组（无手术指征）,手术组术前在PET／CT图像上确定肿瘤在冠状轴（x轴）、矢状轴（Y轴）、长轴（z轴）三维径线上的大小,术后病理检查,确定肿瘤在X、Y、Z轴上的大小;TNM分期分别用CT、PET／CT分期与病理学分期。放疗组分别在PET／CT和CT横断图像上勾画原发灶和纵隔淋巴结GTV,软件自动运算PET／CT和模拟定位增强CT所勾画靶区的体积。结果19例（51．4％）的TNM分期在PET／CT检查后发生改变;12例（37．8％）的治疗方案因而发生变化。CT、PET／CT、病理确定的原发灶大小在X、Y轴上无显著差异（P值〉0．05）,Z轴上有显著差异（P值〈0．05）;放疗组16例患者中,PET／CT所勾画的GTVPET〉GTVCT者共4例,因为PET／CT发现不符合CT诊断标准的纵隔淋巴结转移灶。GTVPET〈GTVCT者共7例,主要是因为PET／CT排除了阻塞性肺炎和肺不张。结论PET／CT检查对分期与治疗方案的影响较大,PET／CT与病理学的肿瘤大小基本一致,PET／CT所确定的肿瘤大小可以作为病理学的GTV,勾画非小细胞肺癌放疗靶区PET／CT优于CT。     

PET-CT图像融合在食管癌精确放疗中的应用

目的探讨PET-CT融合图像勾画靶区的食管癌三维适形放疗计划的优势。方法对16例食管癌病例分别进行CT、PET同机扫描,图像重建后传输至三维治疗计划系统(3D-Treatment planning system,TPS),进行自动图像融合,由同一临床医师分别在CT、PET-CT融合图像上勾画出,同一物理师分别设计优化TPS计划,给予常规处方剂量2.0Gy×30次,每个计划采用5个方向照射野来实现较好的靶区剂量分布,并达到周围正常组织保护的目的。计算各计划的靶区体积并显示剂量体积直方图(dose-volume histogram,DVH),比较2个计划的全肺平均受量(mean lung dose,MLD)、双肺受照超过20Gy的体积占全肺体积的百分比(V20)、气管平均受量、心脏平均受量、脊髓最大受量。结果CT勾画的GTV体积均值为67.10cm3,大于PET-CT融合图像下勾划的GTV均值60.82cm3,包括MLD、全肺V20、气管平均受量、心脏平均受量、脊髓最大受量在内的各项DVH参数的比较显示,均以PET-CT勾画靶区的计划明显优于CT勾画靶区的计划。结论PET-CT图像融合基础上勾画靶区制定放疗计划,可更有效的保护周围正常组织和器官。     

PET/CT在非小细胞肺癌放疗靶区勾画中的应用及其影响

目的探讨非小细胞肺癌(Non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)在放射治疗中,应用PET/CT融合图像勾画靶区对靶体积及正常组织受照剂量的影响。方法 随机选择21例临床分期T_3-4N₀M₀的NSCLC患者,分别根据CT图像和PET/CT图像勾画靶区和危及器官。分别比较基于两种影像资料所得靶区体积的大小差异,及该差异与靶区本身体积的关系;在靶区的剂量达到临床要求的条件下,比较两者的调强放射治疗(IMRT)计划中双肺Vx(即接受大于X剂量照射的肺的体积)、平均剂量(MLD)、心脏剂量和脊髓剂量的差异。结果 85.7%的病例,在CT图像上得到的靶体积(即依据传统CT资料所勾画的靶)比PET/CT大,且两者所勾画出的临床靶区(CTV)之间比较,差异具有统计学意义(P=0.001);计划靶区(PTV)之间比较差异具有统计学意义(P=0.001);两种方法所得到的靶体积差异与靶体积本身的大小呈正相关,肿瘤区(GTV)r=0.96、CTV部分r=0.82、PTV部分r=0.61;依据CT图像的计划中正常肺组织受照射剂量均较PET/CT的大,且两者肺受照20Gy以上剂量的肺体积(V20)之间比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.017);两者肺的平均受照剂量(MLD)之间比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.004);两者受照40Gy以上剂量的心脏体积(Vheart)之间比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.02)。结论 应用PET/CT融合图像勾画靶区能改善靶体积和正常组织的照射剂量。     

磁共振弥散加权成像在食管癌调强放疗中的应用及影响

[目的]探讨在食管癌调强放疗(IMRT)中,应用磁共振弥散加权成像技术(DWI)与CT融合图像勾画靶区对靶体积及正常肺组织受照剂量的影响,以及应用DWI对于放疗近期疗效评价的影响.[方法]随机选择40例初治食管癌患者,分别依据单纯CT图像、DWI与CT融合图像以及PET-CT与CT融合图像勾画靶区及危及器官.比较三种影像资料下勾画的GTV、PTV体积的大小差异;以及在PTV的处方剂量达到64Gy/32次时,比较三组调强放疗计划中双肺V5、V20、MLD的差异.同时在放疗前、放疗中(放疗开始后的1个月)及放疗后(放疗结束后1个月)各行1次胸部DWI扫描,比较放疗不同阶段、不同b值下所测肿瘤病灶ADC值的差异.[结果] 92.5％(37/40)的病例在DWI融合组以及PET-CT融合组勾画的GTV比在单纯CT组勾画的GTV体积小,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).而DWI融合组勾画的GTV与PET-CT融合组勾画的GTV体积比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).在GTV基础上外扩得到的PTV,92.5％的病例在DWI融合组以及PET-CT融合组中比在单纯CT组的体积小,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).将三组计划中的双肺V5、V20、MLD进行比较,92.5％的病例在DWI融合组及PET-CT融合组的双肺V5、Va0、MLD均较单纯CT组小,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).不同b值条件下,随着放疗的进行,放疗前、中、后所测得的ADC值逐渐升高,前后比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).[结论]应用DWI定位及融合技术勾画食管癌靶区提高了靶区勾画的精确性,更有利于正常肺组织的保护,降低正常肺组织的照射剂量.同时DWI对于食管癌患者放疗的近期疗效评价具有可靠价值.     

中晚期前列腺癌PET／CT定位三维适形放疗的疗效和预后分析

目的：探讨中晚期前列腺癌经18^FDGPET／CT定位适形放疗的疗效、副反应及失败原因。方法：对68例中晚期前列腺癌患者随机分为18^FDGPETYCT定位适形放疗组（PET／CT组）和普通CT定位适形放疗组（普通CT组）。PET／CT组用PET／CT扫描定位,将扫描数据输入三维治疗计划系统,将PET图像和CT图像融合后进行靶区（GTV与PrrV）和重要脏器勾画、三维重建,制定计划后常规分割适形放疗40Gy左右,然后缩野放疗至总剂量60Gy～70Gy;普通cT组用普通CT定位设野,三维适形放疗至相同剂量。结果：PET／CT组的平均刚体积、膀胱V40、直肠V40均小于普通cT组（P均〈0．01）;两组放疗后PSA均明显下降（P均〈0．01）;PET／CT组的中位复发时间12．1个月,普通CT组的中位复发时间9．2个月,两者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;PET／CT组的胃肠道与膀胱放射性副反应低于普通CT组（P均〈0．05）;疗前GTV≤50cm^3者预后好。结论：PET／CT定位三维适形放疗中晚期前列腺癌可以优化放疗计划,减少放射副反应,分期早的病变预后好。     

使用DWI勾画食管癌靶区对于放射性肺损伤的影响

目的 探讨DWI扫描与CT扫描勾画食管癌靶区后放疗所致放射性肺损伤(RILI)的差异.方法 选取胸段食管癌患者40例,按照随机数字表法将患者随机分为DWI组及CT组,每组各20例,DWI组患者使用DWI与CT融合图像与单纯CT图像分别进行靶区勾画,并利用Pinnacle38.0计划系统分别计算出双肺V5、V20及MLD;CT组患者使用CT图像进行靶区勾画,并计算出双肺V5、V20及MLD.所有患者在出现明显RILI症状时行胸部CT扫描,在放疗后3、6个月行胸部CT扫描,并计算出RILI的体积.结果 DWI组患者中,利用DWI融合图像勾画的GTV、CTV、PTV体积均小于利用CT图像勾画的相应体积(P=0.000、0.000、0.000),且利用DWI融合图像勾画的双肺V5、V20、MLD体积剂量较利用CT图像勾画的相应体积剂量小(P=0.004、0.012、0.044).CT组和DWI组利用CT图像勾画的GTV、CTV、PTV体积及双肺V5、V20、MLD的平均值比较,差异均无统计学意义(P﹥0.05).CT组RILI的发生率高于DWI组(40%vs 10%,P=0.028).结论 使用DWI参与勾画的食管癌靶区优于单纯使用CT,并且可以降低RILI的发生率.     

三种阈值下勾画非小细胞肺癌PET图像靶区及影响的研究

目的 比较不同阈值对18FDG PET-CT图像中非小细胞肺癌靶区勾画及放疗计划可能产生的影响.方法 选择CT图像上原发灶边界清楚的、呼吸动度≤5 mm的非小细胞肺癌8例,注射18FDG后1 h行PET扫描并以CT图像作衰减校正.以CT图像勾画的大体肿瘤体积(GTVCT)为标准,比较PET图像上用3种阈值条件[即肿瘤内最大像素值的42%(42%Imax(total))、本底平均像素值+肿瘤内最大像素值与本底平均像素值的差值的20%(Iback+20%Imax-back(max))和本底平均像素值+肿瘤内每层最大像素值与本底平均像素值的差值的20%(Iback+20%Imax-back(slice))]勾画的GTV(计为GTV42%、GTV20%max和GTV20%slice)与GTVCT差异及对GTVCT覆盖率的差异.以GTVCT、GTV42%、GTV20%max、GTV20%slice三维外放1 cm为计划靶体积,分别计为PTVCT、PTV42%、PTV20%max、PTV20%slice.对不同PTV设计三维适形放疗计划,并均给予靶区剂量66 Gy分33次6.6周完成.比较以不同PTV设计的计划中,PTVCT内接受＜95%处方剂量的体积(VPTV)及肺V20,并推算可能产生的TCP和肺NTCP的差异.结果 GTV42%、GTV20%max、GTV20%slice与GTVCT的中位体积差分别为-54.1%,-21.5%和5.3%,三者对GTVCT的覆盖率中位数分别为45.9%、78.0%和95.3%(F=57.50,P＜0.01).以不同PTV设计放疗计划时,PTV42%的中位VPTV为7.5%,由此可能导致TCP中位下降1%.PTV20%max和PTV20%slice的中位VPTV分别为1.3%和0.0%,其TCP与PTVCT的相似,与PTV42%的不同.三者的肺V20和肺NTCP与PTVCT的相似.结论 层面化阈值条件Iback+20%Imax-back(slice)可能是PET图像用于肺癌靶区勾画的较准确阈值,该阈值不依赖于预先由CT提供的肿瘤体积信息,可望用于伴有肺不张的非小细胞肺癌的靶区勾画.     

非小细胞肺癌大体靶区勾画差异对正常组织并发症概率的影响

目的：评价不同医生勾画的非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer，NSCLC)大体靶区(gross tumor volume，GTV)差异对正常组织并发症概率(normal tissue complication probability，NTCP)的影响。方法：选取5例拟行三维适彤放疗的NSCLC患者，由5名医生独立勾画GTV，然后以不同医生勾画的GTV为基础，制定适形放射治疗计划，时间剂量分割模式为每次2Gy，每周5次，肿瘤总剂量为60Gy。按Kutcher的算法计算肺脏和心脏的NTCP。结果：不同医生勾画的5例患者的GTV最大差异最小为1．28倍，最大为2．94倍，虽然基于不同医生勾画的GTV计算的各脏器的NTCP差异无统计学意义，但某些患者其NTCP的差异非常大。结论：部分NSCLC大体靶区勾画的差异所导致的肺脏和心脏NTCP的变化不容忽视。     

Clinical implications of defining the gross tumor volume with combination of CT and 18FDG-positron emission tomography in non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: To compare the planning target volume (PTV) definitions for computed tomography (CT) vs. positron emission tomography (PET) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 21 patients with NSCLC underwent three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning. All underwent a staging F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-position emission tomography (18FDG-PET) scan and underwent treatment simulation using CT plus a separate planning 18FDG-PET scan. Three sets of target volumes were defined: Set 1, CT volumes (CT tumor + staging PET nodal disease); Set 2, PET volumes (planning PET tumor {gross tumor volume (GTV) = [(0.3069 x mean standardized uptake value) + 0.5853])}; Set 3, composite CT-PET volumes (fused CT-PET tumor). Sets 1 and 2 were compared using a matching index. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plans were created using the Set 1 (CT) volumes; and coverage of the Set 3 (composite) volumes was evaluated. Separate three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plans were designed for the Set 3 volumes. RESULTS: For the primary tumor GTV, the Set 1 (CT) volume was larger than the Set 2 (PET) volume in 48%, smaller in 33%, and equal in 19%. The mean matching index was 0.65 (35% CT-PET mismatch). Although quantitatively similar, the volumes differed qualitatively. The Set 3 (composite) volume was larger than either CT or PET alone in 62%, smaller in 24%, and equal in 14%. The dose-volume histogram parameters did not differ among the plans for Set 1 (CT) vs. Set 3 (composite) volumes. Small portions of the Set 3 PTV were significantly underdosed in 40% of cases using the CT-only plan. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography and PET are complementary and should be obtained in the treatment position and fused to define the GTV for NSCLC. Although the quantitative absolute target volume is sometimes similar, the qualitative target locations can be substantially different, leading to underdosage of the target when planning is done using CT alone without PET fusion.     

PET/CT对非小细胞肺癌三维适形放疗中治疗计划参数的影响

目的:观察PET/CT对非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)中治疗计划参数的影响.方法:对83例在PET/CT定位下拟行根治性3D-CRT的NSCLC患者,分别以CT图像和PET/CT融合图像勾画大体肿瘤靶区(GTVCT和GTVPET/CT),分别制定放疗计划,并对两者进行比较.结果:PET/CT明显改变44例(53.01％)患者GTV或PTV,31例PTV和(或)GTV减小,13例PTV和(或)GTV增加.根据PET/CT和CT分别制定的放疗计划在VGTV、VE50、SCM和ESM的差异有统计学意义,P值分别为0.001、0.001、0.000和0.002.结论:应用PET/CT制定NSCLC3D-CRT治疗计划可降低食管和脊髓的受照射剂量,从而有利于放疗剂量的提升.     

Impact of hybrid fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography on radiotherapy planning in esophageal and non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a hybrid fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scanner in radiotherapy planning for esophageal and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 30 patients (16 with esophageal cancer, 14 with NSCLC) underwent an FDG-PET/CT for radiotherapy planning purposes. Noncontrast total-body spiral CT scans were obtained first, followed immediately by FDG-PET imaging which was automatically co-registered to the CT scan. A physician not involved in the patients' original treatment planning designed a gross tumor volume (GTV) based first on the CT dataset alone, while blinded to the FDG-PET dataset. Afterward, the physician designed a GTV based on the fused PET/CT dataset. To standardize PET GTV margin definition, background liver PET activity was standardized in all images. The CT-based and PET/CT-based GTVs were then quantitatively compared by way of an index of conformality, which is the ratio of the intersection of the two GTVs to their union. RESULTS: The mean index of conformality was 0.44 (range, 0.00-0.70) for patients with NSCLC and 0.46 (range, 0.13-0.80) for patients with esophageal cancer. In 10 of the 16 (62.5%) esophageal cancer patients, and in 12 of the 14 (85.7%) NSCLC patients, the addition of the FDG-PET data led to the definition of a smaller GTV. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of a hybrid FDG-PET/CT scanner had an impact on the radiotherapy planning of esophageal cancer and NSCLC. In future studies, we recommend adoption of a conformality index for a more comprehensive comparison of newer treatment planning imaging modalities to conventional options.     

Role of PET/CT in Treatment Planning for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Definitive Radiotherapy

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefits of 18F-deoxyglucose positron emissiontomography/computed tomography (FGD-PET/CT) imaging for staging and radiotherapy planning in patientswith head and neck cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven headand neck cancer patients who had undergone definitive radiotherapy and PET/CT at the Uludag UniversityMedical Faculty Department of Radiation Oncology were investigated in order to determine the role of PET/CTin staging and radiotherapy planning. Results: The median age of this patient group of 32 males and 5 femaleswas 57 years (13-84years). The stage remained the same in 18 cases, decreased in 5 cases and increased in 14cases with PET/CT imaging. Total gross tumor volume (GTV) determined by CT (GTVCT-Total) was increasedin 32 cases (86.5%) when compared to total GTV determined by PET/CT (GTVPET/CT-Total). The GTV of theprimary tumor determined by PET/CT (GTVPET/CT) was larger in 3 cases and smaller in 34 cases comparedto that determined by CT (GTVCT). The GTV of lymph nodes determined by PET/CT (GTVLNPET/CT) waslarger in 20 cases (54%) and smaller in 12 cases (32.5%) when compared to GTV values determined by CT(GTVLNCT). No pathological lymph nodes were observed in the remaining five cases with both CT and PET/CT. Conclusions: We can conclude that PET/CT can significantly affect both pretreatment staging and assessedtarget tumor volume in patients with head and neck cancer. We therefore recommend examining such cases withPEC/CT before treatment.     

主动呼吸控制方法在非小细胞肺癌精确放疗中的应用

目的:评价主动呼吸控制方法( activebreathing control, ABC)在非小细胞肺癌(non smallcell lung cancer, NSCLC)精确放疗中的应用及其在减小放射性肺和脊髓损伤方面的作用。方法:对10例周围型NSCLC患者在适形放疗定位时分别在自由呼吸(free breathing, FB)状态下常规轴位扫描及ABC时螺旋CT快速扫描采集图象,将两套图象传输至计划系统,分别制定适形放疗计划,计算和比较2个计划的大体靶区(gross tumor volume, GTV)、临床靶区(clinical target volume, CTV)、计划靶区(planning target volume,PTV)、双肺V20、平均受量(Dmean)和脊髓最大受量。结果:ABC计划的GTV、CTV、PTV、V20、Dmean和脊髓最大受量比FB计划均要小,差异有统计学意义,P< 0. 01, (P 值分别为0 .000、0 .000、0. 000、0. 000、0. 000、0 .001)。结论:相对于FB常规放疗计划,在NSCLC精确放疗中使用ABC可以有效地减少周围型NSCLC正常组织的受照体积和剂量,减少肺和脊髓放射性损伤的发生率。     

氟脱氧葡萄糖正电子发射型体层摄影术在非小细胞肺癌适形放疗中的应用研究

目的探讨氟脱氧葡萄糖(FDG)正电子发射型体层摄影术(PET)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)三维适形放疗定位中的辅助作用。方法13例非小细胞肺癌患者行FDG PET和CT检查，利用CT和FDG PET-CT图像融合软件分别勾画大体肿瘤体积(GTVCT和GTVPET-CT)，并对两者进行比较。结果13例患者除2例外，其他患者的GTVCT和GTVPET-CT均不同，其中5例GTVPET-CT大于GTVCT，平均增加29．2cm^3；6例GTVPET-CT小于GTVCT，平均减少41．6cm^3。结论与单纯CT图像相比，FDG PET-CT融合图像不仅能更好地分清肿瘤与正常组织，而且对纵隔淋巴结具有更高的敏感性和特异性。     

The impact of (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) lymph node staging on the radiation treatment volumes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) combined with computer tomography (PET-CT) is superior to CT alone in mediastinal lymph node (LN) staging in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We studied the potential impact of this non-invasive LN staging procedure on the radiation treatment plan of patients with NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The imaging and surgical pathology data from 105 patients included in two previously published prospective LN staging protocols form the basis for the present analysis. For 73 of these patients, with positive LN's on CT and/or on PET, a theoretical study was performed in which for each patient the gross tumour volume (GTV) was defined based on CT and on PET-CT data. For each GTV, the completeness of tumour coverage was assessed, using the available surgical pathology data as gold standard. A more detailed analysis was done for the first ten consecutive patients in whom the PET-CT-GTV was smaller than the CT-GTV. Theoretical radiation treatment plans were constructed based on both CT-GTV and PET-CT-GTV. Dose-volume histograms for the planning target volume (PTV), for the total lung volume and the lung volume receiving more than 20 Gy (V(lung(20))), were calculated. RESULTS: Data from 988 assessed LN stations were available. In the subgroup of 73 patients with CT or PET positive LN's, tumour coverage improved from 75% when the CT-GTV was used to 89% with the PET-CT-GTV (P=0.005). In 45 patients (62%) the information obtained from PET would have led to a change of the treatment volumes. For the ten patients in the dosimetry study, the use of PET-CT to define the GTV, resulted in an average reduction of the PTV by 29+/-18% (+/-1 SD) (P=0.002) and of the V(lung(20)) of 27+/-18% (+/-1 SD) (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with NSCLC considered for curative radiation treatment, assessment of locoregional LN tumour extension by PET will improve tumour coverage, and in selected patients, will reduce the volume of normal tissues irradiated, and thus toxicity. This subgroup of patients could then become candidates for treatment intensification.