Journal article

Prospective analysis of the utility of 18-FDG PET in Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin: A Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group Study, TROG 09:03

M Poulsen, D Macfarlane, M Veness, V Estall, G Hruby, M Kumar, A Pullar, L Tripcony, D Rischin

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology | WILEY | Published : 2018

Abstract

Introduction: TROG 09.03 prospectively studied the utility of Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (18-FDG) PET in the management of Merkel cell carcinoma of skin. Methods: Following consent and registration, a pre-treatment FDG-PET/CT was performed. Sites of avid disease were confirmed by cytology where practicable. Following surgery, patients with AJCCv7 Stages IIA-IIIB disease were treated with chemo-radiotherapy and reassessed with a post-treatment PET. Results: Fifty-eight subjects (45 males and 13 females, median age 68 years) were enrolled between 2011 and 2015, 43 patients of whom went on to receive chemo-radiotherapy. An occult primary was present in 22 (37.9%), T1 in 22 (37.9%) and T2 di..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Cancer Australia for which we are enormously grateful. The support of the Trial Management Committee and the TROG office is also recognised. We would like to acknowledge Prof Jane Armes who reviewed the pathology and Kacy Baumann, Adrienne See and Narelle Wallace from the ROPART Trials office, without whose attention to detail and dedication to their work, this research would not have been possible. The participating centres were Radiation Oncology Princess Alexandra Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Liverpool, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Radiation Oncology Centres, Genesis, Geelong and Westmead Hospitals.