Role of FDG PET scanning in evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer compared to conventional CT after treatment

Abstract

L ung cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Hence, timely diagnosis and accurate staging of the carcinoma as well as strict follow up is critical for better prognosis. Imaging studies play a key role in post-treatment follow up of patients with lung cancer. 18 FDG PET scanning has developed as an important tool in the multi-disciplinary management of lung cancer. The combination of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and computed tomography (CT) has a great impact on the diagnosis, staging, and hence on the follow up of lung cancer patients compared to conventional CT study only. In this study we found that 18F-FDG PET scan can monitor the metabolic changes of tumors after treatment when the morphologic changes on CT images can not been detected. Also, the combined metabolic and morphological assessment of the residual tumours offered better informations with significant improvements in early treatment response assessment, re-staging, and so prognostication of lung cancer. In Conclusion, 18F-FDG PET scanning shows increase in accuracy of the post treatment evaluation which reflects upon the patients’ re-staging, therapy planning, and improved patient outcomes with less morbidity.