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CC BY 4.0 · World J Nucl Med 2023; 22(04): 276-283
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777699
Original Article

Utility of 18-Flurodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (18FDG PET-CT) in Gallbladder Cancer: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Authors

  • Niharika Bisht

    1   Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (RR), Delhi, India

  • Nishant Lohia

    2   Radiation Oncology, Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), Kokrajhar, Assam, India

  • Sankalp Singh 

    1   Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (RR), Delhi, India

  • Arti Sarin

    1   Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (RR), Delhi, India

  • Abhishek Mahato 

    3   Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Command Hospital (CC), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

  • Dharmesh Paliwal

    3   Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Command Hospital (CC), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

  • Indranil Sinha

    3   Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Command Hospital (CC), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

  • Sharad Bhatnagar

    4   Radiation Oncology, ESI Medical College, Faridabad, Haryana, India
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Abstract

Introduction Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is one of the most common and aggressive malignancies of the Indo-Gangetic plains. Despite its widespread use in GBC cases, the role of 18-flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18FDG PET-CT) in the management of this disease is not well defined. In our study, we present the practice trends of the utilization of this investigative modality in our hospital and its benefits in aiding diagnosis, staging, and surveillance for recurrence.

Materials and Methods All cases of suspected and biopsy-proven GBCs who underwent PET-CT at our institute between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively evaluated for the indication of PET-CT testing and its impact on the management of the case. The indications were classified into three categories: (i) staging and metastatic workup, (ii) response assessment post-chemotherapy, and (iii) post-therapy surveillance of patients.

Results A total of 79 PET-CT scans were carried out during the study period. PET-CT was used for less than one-third of the total patients of GBC presenting at our center. Initial staging and workup (49%) was the most common indication followed by surveillance (28%) and response assessment (23%). PET-CT had a substantially better sensitivity in detecting distant metastases compared to conventional imaging in both initial workup and during follow-up. PET-CT provided additional information in 42% scans that led to change in the management of the patient. As a response assessment tool PET-CT aided not only in evaluating efficacy of therapy but also for documenting progressive disease for patients on therapy.

Conclusion PET-CT is a valuable tool to not only rule out metastatic disease while selecting patients for surgery but also for post-therapy surveillance for recurrence in patients of GBC. Larger prospective studies may help in finally elucidating the exact role of PET-CT in this disease.

Keywords

gallbladder cancer - PET-CT - staging - response assessment - metastatic


Publication History

Article published online:
26 December 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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