Abstract
Introduction
The aim of this study is to determine whether Likert scale (Deauville criteria) can
be used to classify oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) patients as ‘responders’
and ‘nonresponders’ by utilizing FDG-PET/CT for primary tumor site. The second aim
is to compare the performance of methods used in interpretation of posttreatment PET/CT
scans (Likert scale, SUVmax, ratios of SUVmax primary lesion to mediastinum ‘SUVmax
P/M’ and SUVmax primary lesion to liver ‘SUVmax P/L’) in predicting treatment response.
Methods
Seventy-seven PET/CT scans were assessed by Deauville criteria, five-point Likert
scale. SUVmax of primary lesion, SUVmax primary to mediastinum and SUVmax primary
to liver ratios on first follow-up PET/CT were measured and calculated. Pathology
results, clinical and imaging follow-up were used as standart reference.
Results
Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive value of Likert
scale were found to be 80%, 89.5%, 53.3% and 96.8% respectively. When Likert scale
and PET parameters were compared, no statistically significant difference was found.
Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was used to determine the optimal cut-off
points for SUVmax (found as 4) and for ratios (SUVmax P/M = 1.67and SUVmax P/L = 1.7)
with the highest specificity and NPV.
Conclusion
Likert scale adequately categorize patients as ‘responders’ and ‘non-responders’.
Since its NPV is high and interpretation is relatively easy, it can be utilized to
evaluate OPSCC response to treatment in first follow up FDG PET/CT.
Abbreviations:
OPSCC (oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer), HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell cancer), FDG-PET/CT (18F-Fluoro-d-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography), CRT (chemoradiotherapy), SUV (standardized uptake value)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 15, 2019
Accepted:
January 8,
2019
Received:
November 8,
2018
Footnotes
☆Preliminary results of this study was presented as an electronic educational poster at ASNR 56th Annual Meeting. June 2–7, 2018 Vancouver Convention Centre East. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
