Metabolic (FDG-PET) response after radical radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer correlates with patterns of failure

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) response correlated strongly with survival after radical radiotherapy (RT)/chemoradiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PET-response, survival and patterns of failure data are presented with long-term follow-up. METHODS: Pre- and post-treatment FDG-PET scans were performed for 88 patients after concurrent platinum-based radical chemo/RT (n = 73) or radical RT alone (n = 15). PET responses were prospectively assessed as either complete metabolic response (CMR), partial metabolic response (PMR), stable metabolic disease (SMD), or progressive metabolic disease (PMD). RESULTS: RT..