| Summary: | Background. Positron emission tomography with fluor-
18-deoxyglucose (PET-FDG) is an efficient technique for the
detection of tumoural tissue. The aim of the paper is to
evaluate the PET-FDG in the diagnosis of residual disease or
relapse in patients with cancer of the ovary.
Methods. A total of 24 patients, diagnosed and treated for
cancer of the ovary with surgery and subsequent
chemotherapy, were included. With 12 patients the study was
carried out prior to second-look surgery, and with the other 12
after objectivising an increase of the tumoural marker in the
follow up. Abdominal-pelvic CAT, determination of the seric
levels of CA-125 and PET-FDG of thorax, abdomen and pelvis
were carried out on all patients. The PET-FDG was evaluated
in a qualitative way through the visual study of the images,
and quantitatively through the SUV or standard uptake value.
The definitive diagnosis was confirmed through an anatomopathological
study in 13 cases and through clinical follow
up in the rest with an average of 11.2±5.4 months (range 6-24).
Results. A CA-125 value higher than 35 UI/ml was
considered positive, obtaining a sensitivity of 77% and a
specificity of 100%. The sensitivity of the CAT was 23% and the
specificity 91%. With the FDG-PET sensitivity was 92% and the
specificity 90%. A SUV value ≥ 3 was considered pathological,
obtaining the same results as with the visual evaluation. The
FDG-PET was positive in 5 patients with non-conclusive CAT, 4
with negative CAT and 2 with negative CA-125.
Conclusion. These preliminary results suggest that the
FDG-PET could be useful in the follow up of patients treated
for cancer of the ovary. The FDG-PET could be efficient in the
differentiation between residual disease or recurrence, as
opposed to sequels to the treatment, when the CAT is not
conclusive due to anatomical distortion. The FDG-PET could
be more sensitive than an increased marker value, and facing
an increase of the latter it permits a non-invasive localisation
of the disease.
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