Impact of Positron Emission Tomography on the Management of Patients with Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Preliminary Experience

Abstract

Accurate staging is important in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patients with limited stage may benefit from chemoradiation, whereas those with extensive stage conventionally receive chemotherapy. Prophylactic cranial irradiation may benefit those attaining complete remission (CR). 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) enhances accuracy of staging in non-SCLC. Its role in SCLC remains unclear. We reviewed 36 consecutive SCLC patients who underwent 47 PET studies between December 1996 and January 2001, for either staging (n = 11), restaging after therapy (n = 21), or both (n = 4). Conventional imaging was also performed. Of 15 patients who had PET for staging, 5 (33%) ..