Positron emission tomography in staging early lung cancer: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), preoperative imaging tests are important in defining surgical candidates. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether whole-body positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) plus cranial imaging correctly upstages cancer in more patients with NSCLC than does conventional staging plus cranial imaging. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial with recruitment from June 2004 to August 2007. The centralized, computer-generated, variable block size randomization scheme was stratified by treatment center and cancer stage. Participants, health care providers, and outcome assessors were not blinded to imaging modality assignment. SETTING: 8 hospitals and 5 PET-CT centers in academic institutions. PATIENTS: Eligible patients were older than 18 years; had histologic or cytologic proof of stage I, II, or IIIA NSCLC on the basis of chest radiography and thoracic CT; and had a tumor considered to be resectable. INTERVENTION: PET-CT or conventional staging (abdominal CT and bone scan). All patients also had cranial imaging using CT or magnetic resonance imaging. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was correct upstaging, thereby avoiding stage-inappropriate surgery. Secondary outcomes were incorrect upstaging and incorrect understaging. RESULTS: 170 patients were assigned to PET-CT and 167 to conventional staging. Eight patients (3 who had PET-CT and 5 who had conventional staging) did not have planned surgery. Disease was correctly upstaged in 23 of 167 PET-CT recipients and 11 of 162 conventional staging recipients (13.8% vs. 6.8%; difference, 7.0 percentage points [95% CI, 0.3 to 13.7 percentage points]), thereby sparing these patients from surgery. Disease was incorrectly upstaged in 8 PET-CT recipients and 1 conventional staging recipient (4.8% vs. 0.6%; difference, 4.2 percentage points [CI, 0.5 to 8.6 percentage points]), and it was incorrectly understaged in 25 and 48 patients, respectively (14.9% vs. 29.6%; difference, 14.7 percentage points [CI, 5.7 to 23.4 percentage points]). At 3 years, 52 patients who had PET-CT and 57 patients who had conventional staging had died. LIMITATION: The relatively small sample and the fact that some patients did not have planned surgery limited the ability to determine precise differences in clinical outcomes that were attributable to testing strategies. CONCLUSION: Preoperative staging with PET-CT and cranial imaging identifies more patients with mediastinal and extrathoracic disease than conventional staging, thereby sparing more patients from stage-inappropriate surgery, but the strategy also incorrectly upstaged disease in more patients.

Recombinant human thyrotropin-assisted radioiodine therapy for patients with metastatic thyroid cancer who could not elevate endogenous thyrotropin or be withdrawn from thyroxine.

The value of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) as preparation for radioiodine therapy was assessed in 115 patients with metastatic thyroid cancer. Patients who were either unable to elevate endogenous TSH during thyroxine withdrawal, or in whom thyroxine withdrawal was contraindicated for medical reasons were eligible. Their physicians requested rhTSH as part of the Thyrogen Compassionate Use Program. This is a retrospective summary of the nonrandomized uncontrolled experience. We assessed the ability of rhTSH to elevate the serum TSH; to avoid the complications of hypothyroidism; to stimulate radioiodine uptake; and to stimulate the serum thyroglobulin. Disease response and adverse events were also assessed. After rhTSH, the serum TSH levels rose to >or=25mU/L in every patient in whom levels were measured (n = 112). Hypothyroid complications were avoided in 22 of 25 patients who had experienced them in the past, and in 47 of 51 patients who were at high risk for hypothyroid complications. Radioiodine uptake was present on whole-body scans (WBS) in 105 of the 115 patients. Serum thyroglobulin levels were lower than baseline in 73% of patients assessed at 12 months. Cancer-related symptoms were improved in approximately 25%. Two patients had serious adverse events that were thought to be related to rhTSH. rhTSH elevates serum TSH and facilitates radioiodine uptake in patients who cannot produce endogenous TSH or who cannot tolerate hypothyroidism.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone-stimulated fused positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the evaluation of recurrence in 131I-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: Fluorine-18 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) detects recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in thyroidectomized patients with elevated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and negative (131)I-whole-body scans. This paper describes the utility of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-stimulated fused FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT) scanning on our first 15 patients of this population. METHODS: Patients were prepared for PET/CT imaging with thyroid hormone withdrawal (n = 7) or recombinant human TSH (n = 8). All other imaging before the PET/CT did not demonstrate evidence of recurrence. RESULTS: PET/CT scans revealed active foci in 9 patients, 4 prepared with hypothyroidism, and 5 with exogenous TSH. Positive results were demonstrated even in those with relatively low stimulated-TSH Tg values (13 and 14 microg/L). Six patients with positive PET/CT scans were treated surgically, yielding malignant tissue for 5 of those patients. CONCLUSION: PET/CT scans performed under TSH stimulation are an effective method of detecting of recurrence of PTC and direct surgical interventions, even in those with persistently elevated but relatively low Tg levels.

Long-term efficacy of modified-release recombinant human thyrotropin augmented radioiodine therapy for benign multinodular goiter: results from a multicenter, international, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-selection study.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced reduction of multinodular goiter (MNG) can be achieved by stimulation with recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) before radioiodine ((131)I) therapy. The objective was to compare the long-term efficacy and safety of two low doses of modified release rhTSH (MRrhTSH) in combination with (131)I therapy. METHODS: In this phase II, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 95 patients (57.2 ± 9.6 years old, 85% women, 83% Caucasians) with MNG (median size 96.0 mL; range 31.9-242.2 mL) were randomized to receive placebo (n=32), 0.01 mg MRrhTSH (n=30), or 0.03 mg MRrhTSH (n=33) 24 hours before a calculated (131)I activity. Thyroid volume (TV) and smallest cross-sectional area of trachea (SCAT) were measured (by computed tomography scan) at baseline, six months, and 36 months. Thyroid function and quality of life (QoL) was evaluated at three-month and yearly intervals respectively. RESULTS: At six months, TV reduction was enhanced in the 0.03 mg MRrhTSH group (32.9% vs. 23.1% in the placebo group; p=0.03) but not in the 0.01 mg MRrhTSH group. At 36 months, the mean percent TV reduction from baseline was 44 ± 12.7% (SD) in the placebo group, 41 ± 21.0% in the 0.01 mg MRrhTSH group, and 53 ± 18.6% in the 0.03 mg MRrhTSH group, with no statistically significant differences among the groups, p=0.105. In the 0.03 mg MRrhTSH group, the subset of patients with basal (131)I uptake <20% had a 24% greater TV reduction at 36 months than the corresponding subset of patients in the placebo group (p=0.01). At 36 months, the largest relative increase in SCAT was observed in the 0.03 mg MRrhTSH group (13.4 ± 23.2%), but this was not statistically different from the increases observed in the placebo or the 0.01 mg MRrhTSH group (p=0.15). Goiter-related symptoms were reduced and QoL improved, without any enhanced benefit from using MRrhTSH. At three years, the prevalence of permanent hypothyroidism was 13%, 33%, and 45% in the placebo, 0.01 mg, and 0.03 mg MRrhTSH groups respectively. The overall safety profile of the study was favorable. CONCLUSIONS: When used as adjuvant to (131)I, enhanced MNG reduction could not be demonstrated with MRrhTSH doses ≤ 0.03 mg, indicating that the lower threshold for efficacy is around this level.

Incidental finding of ovarian teratoma on post-therapy scan for papillary thyroid cancer and impact of SPECT/CT imaging.

A 41-year old woman post thyroidectomy and neck dissection is presented in this case. She initially presented goiter and an enlarged cervical lymph node. She had no family history of cancer or radiation therapy. She had total thyroidectomy and found to have papillary thyroid cancer (T4N1M0). Histopathology report revealed multifocal classical papillary thyroid carcinoma with lympho-vascular invasion, extra-thyroidal extension, and positive lymph nodes. She was treated with 6.5 Gigabecquerel (GBq) of 131Iodine. Whole-body scan showed uptake in the neck and large focus in the left lower abdomen. Single-photon emission computed tomography SPECT/CT demonstrated a round shaped mass in the left pelvis. Pathology revealed cystic teratoma with benign thyroid tissue (struma ovarii), and no malignancy. Two months later, she had the second treatment with 5.5 GBq 131Iodine. Her follow-up stimulated and non-stimulated thyroglobulin levels were significantly lower, and there was no abnormal uptake in the follow-up scan.

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography compared with invasive mediastinal staging in non-small cell lung cancer: results of mediastinal staging in the early lung positron emission tomography trial.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) require careful preoperative staging to define resectability for potential cure. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG PET-CT) is widely used to stage NSCLC. If the mediastinum is positive on PET-CT examination, some practitioners conclude that the patient is inoperable and refer the patient for nonsurgical treatment. METHODS: In this analysis of a previously reported trial comparing PET-CT with conventional imaging in the diagnostic work-up of patients with clinical stage I, II, or IIIA NSCLC, we determined the accuracy of PET-CT in mediastinal staging compared with invasive mediastinal staging either by mediastinoscopy alone or by mediastinoscopy combined with thoracotomy. RESULTS: All 149 patients had mediastinal nodal staging at mediastinoscopy alone (14), thoracotomy alone (64), or both (71). The sensitivity of PET-CT was 70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48-85%), and specificity was 94% (95% CI, 88-97%). Of 22 patients with a PET-CT interpreted as positive for mediastinal nodes, 8 did not have tumor. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 64% (95% CI, 43-80%) and 95% (95% CI, 90-98%), respectively. Based on PET-CT alone, eight patients would have been denied potentially curative surgery if the mediastinal abnormalities detected by PET-CT had not been evaluated with an invasive mediastinal procedure. CONCLUSIONS: PET-CT assessment of the mediastinum is associated with a clinically relevant false-positive rate. Our study confirms the need for pathologic confirmation of mediastinal lymph node abnormalities detected by PET-CT.

Familial papillary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective analysis.

Background. Whether or not the familial form of papillary thyroid carcinoma is more aggressive than the sporadic form of the disease remains controversial. Methods. To explore this question and whether or not increased aggressiveness is more apparent in families with multiple affected members, we performed a chi square by trend analysis on our patients clinical and pathologic data comparing: first degree families with three or more affected members versus first degree families with two affected members versus sporadic cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Results. No statistically significant trends were seen for any presenting surgical pathology parameter, age at presentation, length of follow-up or gender distribution. The familial groups exhibited significant trends for higher rates of reoperation (P = 0.05) and/or requiring additional radioactive iodine therapy (P = 0.03), distant metastases (P = 0.003) and deaths (P = 0.01). These aggressive features were most apparent in certain families with three or more affected members. Conclusions. Using the chi square by trend analysis, a significant trend was seen for the familial form of papillary thyroid cancer to possess more aggressive features than the sporadic disease. Prompt recognition of the familial nature of the disease may provide earlier diagnosis and treatment in similarly affected family members.

The National Oncology Program: a Yemeni-Canadian partnership.

Cancer in developing countries is growing and will soon be a major problem as life expectancy increases. This article outlines the experience and future objectives of a partnership between Yemeni and Canadian oncology professionals in their attempt to develop a National Oncology Program in Yemen. We review current knowledge of the epidemiology, social, educational and economic challenges as well as suggested initial steps in developing a relevant oncology program for this society.

Accuracy of technetium-99m SPECT-CT hybrid images in predicting the precise intraoperative anatomical location of parathyroid adenomas.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the accuracy of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-CT imaging for the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas. METHODS: This study included both a quantitative and qualitative accuracy measure. The quantitative measure was the distance between the location of the adenoma on the SPECT-CT scan and the location of the adenoma intraoperatively. Qualitatively, surgeons were asked whether or not the adenoma was in the exact location predicted by the SPECT-CT scan. The time from initial incision to identification of the parathyroid was recorded. Patients referred to London Health Sciences Centre for a suspected parathyroid adenoma were eligible for this study. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients participated in this study. Eighteen (78.3%) had a single adenoma, 2 (8.7%) had double adenomas, and 3 (13.0%) had multiglandular hyperplasia. SPECT-CT correctly detected and localized 16 of 18 (88.9%) cases of single parathyroid adenomas. The mean distance between the location of the adenoma on the SPECT-CT scan and the location of the adenoma intraoperatively was 16.3 mm (95% < or = 19.0 mm). For single adenomas, the median time from skin incision to identification was 14 minutes (range, 8-40 minutes). The preoperative detection and localization of a single focus of sestamibi uptake yielded a parathyroid adenoma in the specified location in 80.0% of cases (95% CI, 97.4-66.5%). CONCLUSIONS: SPECT-CT predicted the intraoperative location of a single parathyroid adenoma within 19.0 mm with 95% confidence. The correct detection and localization of multiglandular disease remains difficult.

Incidental finding of ovarian teratoma on post-therapy scan for papillary thyroid cancer and impact of SPECT/CT imaging / Achado incidental de teratoma ovariano em uma avaliação pós-tratamento para carcinoma papilar de tiroide e impacto da tomografia computadorizada por emissão de fóton único

A 41-year old woman post thyroidectomy and neck dissection is presented in this case. She initially presented goiter and an enlarged cervical lymph node. She had no family history of cancer or radiation therapy. She had total thyroidectomy and found to have papillary thyroid cancer (T4N1M0). Histopathology report revealed multifocal classical papillary thyroid carcinoma with lympho-vascular invasion, extra-thyroidal extension, and positive lymph nodes. She was treated with 6.5 Gigabecquerel (GBq) of 131Iodine. Whole-body scan showed uptake in the neck and large focus in the left lower abdomen. Single-photon emission computed tomography SPECT/CT demonstrated a round shaped mass in the left pelvis. Pathology revealed cystic teratoma with benign thyroid tissue (struma ovarii), and no malignancy. Two months later, she had the second treatment with 5.5 GBq 131Iodine. Her follow-up stimulated and non-stimulated thyroglobulin levels were significantly lower, and there was no abnormal uptake in the follow-up scan.

Este é o caso de uma mulher de 41 anos de idade, com pós-tireoidectomia e dissecção da área do pescoço. Ela inicialmente apresentou bócio e um linfonodo cervical aumentado. Não tinha histórico familiar de câncer ou tratamento com radiação. Ela foi submetida a uma tiroidectomia total e se observou um carcinoma papilar de tiroide (T4N1M0). Os achados histopatológicos revelaram carcinoma papilar multifocal clássico com invasão linfovascular, extensão extratiroideana e linfonodos positivos. Ela foi tratada com 6.5 Gigabecquerel (GBq) de Iodo131. A tomografia de corpo inteiro mostrou captação na área do pescoço e um grande foco no abdômen inferior esquerdo. A tomografia computadorizada por emissão de fóton único SPECT/CT demonstrou uma massa arredondada na pelve esquerda. A análise patológica revelou um teratoma cístico com tecido tiroideano benigno (struma ovarii) e nenhuma malignidade. Dois meses depois, ela foi submetida a um segundo tratamento com 5.5 GBq de Iodo131. O acompanhamento dos níveis de tireoglobulina estimulada e não estimulada foi significativamente mais baixo e não houve captação anormal na tomografia seguinte.