Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Introduction: Imaging has a well-established role in the evaluation of recurrent ovarian cancer.18F-FDG PET/CT is an effective whole-body imaging technique that detects metabolic changes preceding structural findings. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether 18F-FDG PET/CT can replace contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) as an initial imaging modality for recurrence detection in ovarian carcinoma patients with raised CA-125 levels. Material and Methods: The present study was carried among 52 women with suspected recurrence i.e. raised CA-125 levels and/or CECT scan findings, referred for 18F-FDG PET/CT were studied. 44 patients underwent both 18F-FDG PET/CT & CECT studies (Group A-I, A-II and B) and 8 patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT only (Group C). Data analysis was done using Wilcoxon Match Pairs Signed Rank test. Results: In 44 patients where both 18F-FDG PET/CT & CECT were done, 18F-FDG PET/CT & CECT detected lesions in 42/44 (95.5%) and 26/44 (59%) patients respectively. Comparison of 42 positive 18F-FDG PET/CT studies with CECT showed that 18F-FDG PET/CT modified disease distribution in 34 patients i.e. more extensive disease in 18 (Group A-II) and detected disease in 16 CECT negative patients (Group B), (p <0.001). Recurrence was detected in all 8 patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT only (Group C). No statistical significant difference was found between the mean (p 0.378) & median (p 0.760) values of CA-125 in all the 4 groups. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT should be preferred initial imaging modality in suspected recurrent ovarian cases as it depicts larger disease burden when compared to CECT and can modify the treatment plan in cases with solitary lesions on CECT. Keywords: Ovarian carcinoma; Recurrence; 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG); Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT)