Positron emission tomography with F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose in a combined staging strategy of esophageal cancer prevents unnecessary surgical explorations.

Distant metastases or local invasion are frequently found during the explorative phase of surgery for esophageal cancer. This study was performed to determine the rate of patients with incurable disease encountered during exploration and to examine the impact of preoperative staging, including positron emission tomography (PET), on the number of unnecessary explorations. The records of 203 patients with esophageal cancer who were eligible for curative resection were retrospectively reviewed.

Predictive effect of p53 and p21 alteration on chemotherapy response and survival in locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Background: Cell cycle regulating proteins (p53/p21) and proliferation index Ki-67 have been associated with prognosis and response to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to determine the significance of these molecular markers on tumor response and prognostic effect in a group of esophageal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of p53/p21 and Ki-67 was examined in pre-treatment biopsy specimen of 30 patients, in phase II neoadjuvant studies for locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, who underwent surgery.

Detection of distant metastases in esophageal cancer with (18)F-FDG PET.

Unlabelled: Standard staging of esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) tumors substantially lacks accuracy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the addition of PET with (18)F-FDG is a valuable gain in the initial staging.

Methods: Between January 1996 and January 2002, (18)F-FDG PET was performed in 74 patients.

Pitfalls of positive findings in staging esophageal cancer with F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

Background: 18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is valuable in staging of esophageal cancer. However, FDG-PET may falsely upstage patients leading to incorrect exclusion from surgical treatment. This study was performed to determine the false-positive rate and possible causes.