Course: Effect of Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Women With Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial
CME Credits: 1.00
Released: 2018-09-14
Key Points
Question In women with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix who are candidates for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, does adding fludeoxyglucose F 18 positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) to staging with CT of the abdomen and pelvis detect more extensive disease and influence therapy?Findings In a randomized clinical trial, 44 of 112 patients receiving PET-CT compared with 14 of 56 patients receiving CT alone received more extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy or palliative treatment, a nonsignificant difference. Five percent of patients in each group were treated with palliative intent.
Meaning In this trial among women with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix, there was no significant difference between PET-CT plus CT vs CT alone, possibly because the trial was underpowered.
Abstract
Importance In women with locally advanced cancer of the cervix (LACC), staging defines disease extent and guides therapy. Currently, undetected disease outside the radiation field can result in undertreatment or, if disease is disseminated, overtreatment.Objective To determine whether adding fludeoxyglucose F 18 positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) to conventional staging with CT of the abdomen and pelvis affects therapy received in women with LACC.
Design, Setting, and Participants A randomized clinical trial was conducted. Women with newly diagnosed histologically confirmed International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB to IVA carcinoma of the cervix who were candidates for chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) were allocated 2:1 to PET-CT plus CT of the abdomen and pelvis or CT alone. Enrollment occurred between April 2010 and June 2014 at 6 regional cancer centers in Ontario, Canada. The PET-CT scanners were at 6 associated academic institutions. The median follow-up at the time of the analysis was 3 years. The analysis was conducted on March 30, 2017.
Interventions Patients received either PET-CT plus CT of the abdomen and pelvis or CT of the abdomen and pelvis.
Main Outcomes and Measures Treatment delivered, defined as standard pelvic CRT vs more extensive CRT, ie, extended field radiotherapy or therapy with palliative intent.
Results One hundred seventy-one patients were allocated to PET-CT (n?=?113) or CT (n?=?58). The trial stopped early before the planned target of 288 was reached because of low recruitment. Mean (SD) age was 48.1 (11.2) years in the PET-CT group vs 48.9 (12.7) years in the CT group. In the 112 patients who received PET-CT, 68 (60.7%) received standard pelvic CRT, 38 (33.9%) more extensive CRT, and 6 (5.4%) palliative treatment. The corresponding data for the 56 patients who received CT alone were 42 (75.0%), 11 (19.6%), and 3 (5.4%). Overall, 44 patients (39.3%) in the PET-CT group received more extensive CRT or palliative treatment compared with 14 patients (25.0%) in the CT group (odds ratio, 2.05; 95% CI, 0.96-4.37; P?=?.06). Twenty-four patients in the PET-CT group (21.4%) received extended field radiotherapy to para-aortic nodes and 14 (12.5%) to common iliac nodes compared with 8 (14.3%) and 3 (5.4%), respectively, in the CT group (odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.68-3.92; P?=?.27).
Conclusions and Relevance There was a trend for more extensive CRT with PET-CT, but the difference was not significant because the trial was underpowered. This trial provides information on the utility of PET-CT for staging in LACC.
Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
Educational Objective
Based on this Original Investigation and the accompanying materials, understand how to respond to the following clinical question: In women with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix who are candidates for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, does adding fludeoxyglucose F 18 positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) to staging with CT of the abdomen and pelvis detect more extensive disease and influence therapy?
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