Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography: A diagnostic imaging modality in renal cancer patients

Purpose

The aim of this study is to clarify the role of 18-F-FDG PET/CT over CT alone in the detection of primary, recurrent and metastatic disease in renal cancers patients.

Patients and methods

In this study; 18-F-PET/CT scans were performed for 25 patients (19 males and 6 females) with renal cancer. A patient-based analysis was performed in a dedicated manner to pick up lesions on CT, PET and PET/CT fused images. Statistical analysis was calculated. A final diagnosis of disease extent was affirmed by clinical, radiologic workup and histopathological correlation.

Results

PET/CT has 100% sensitivity, 93% specificity, 100% PPV, 91% NPV and 96% accuracy; compared to 100% sensitivity and 70% specificity, 83% PPV, 100% NPV and 88% accuracy for CT in diagnosis of primary, recurrent and metastatic disease in renal cancer.

Conclusion

Incorporated 18-F FDG PET/CT is a very versatile and accurate imaging technique for renal cancers. It significantly improves the accuracy and predictive values over CT alone for detection of primary, recurrent and metastatic disease in renal cancer thus change the treatment decision.