Abstract

                  Objective: FDG-PET can contribute significantly to the preoperative period of patients with planned curative resections or with isolated liver or lung metastasis. In this study, we analyze the importance and diagnostic value of FDG-PET in the preoperative evaluation of gastric cancers by correlating its value with computerized tomography (CT).

Materials and Methods:A prospective study was conducted. Abdominal and pelvic CTs were obtained for preoperative staging in each patient. Separate stagings were performed according to the findings of conventional methods and PET scans, and the results were compared with the operative and histological findings.

Results: When the patients were evaluated according to the pathological stage, eight patients were Stage 1 (26.7%), five were Stage 2 (16.7%), eight were Stage 3 (26.7%), and nine were Stage 4 (30%). FDG-PET and CT down-staged the disease in eight (26.7%) and twelve (40%) patients, respectively. FDG-PET and CT up-staged the disease in two (6.7%) and five patients (16.7%), respectively. FDG-PET accurately staged the disease in eighteen patients (60%) (p= 0.182).

         Conclusion: To develop highly sensitive radioactive tests that show invasive local lymph node and peritoneal metastases, more studies in the preoperative staging of gastric cancer are needed. FDG-PET indicates a high specificity in the staging of gastric cancer. In patients who are planned for curative surgery, FDG-PET provides better staging when used with CT.