CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 35, no. 1, 2009

A Comparison of Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Biopsy and Positron Emission Tomography with Integrated Computed Tomography in Lung Cancer Staging

[Original paper]

S.S. Larsen(1), P. Vilmann(1), M. Krasnik(2), Asger Dirksen(3), P. Clementsen(3), Birgit G. Skov(4), Grete Krag Jacobsen(4), U. Lassen(5), Annika Eigtved(6), Anne Kiil Berthelsen(6), J. Mortensen(7), Liselotte Hoejgaard(7)


(1)Department of Surgical Gastroenterology;
(2)Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery;
(3)Department of Pulmonology;
(4)Department of Pathology; Gentofte University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
(5)Department of Oncology ,
(6)PET & Cyclotron Unit;
(7)Department of Clinical Physiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.


Abstract:

Background and study aims: Exact staging of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is important to improve selection of resectable and curable patients for surgery. Positron emission tomography with integrated computed tomography (PET/CT) and endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA) are new and promising methods, but indications in lung cancer staging are controversial. Only few studies have compared the 2 methods. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the diagnostic values of PET/CT and EUS-FNA for diagnosing advanced lung cancer in patients, who had both procedures performed. Patients and methods: 27 patients considered to be potential candidates for resection of NSCLC underwent PET/CT and EUS-FNA. Diagnoses were confirmed either by open thoracotomy, mediastinoscopy or clinical follow-up. Advanced lung cancer was defined as tumour-stage ? IIIA(N2), corresponding to T4- and/or N2-N3- and/or M1 disease. Diagnostic values of PET/CT and EUS-FNA, with regard to the diagnosis of advanced lung cancer, were assessed and compared. Results: The sensitivity of PET/CT and EUS-FNA were respectively 60% and 60% for T4 disease, 56% versus 100% for N2-N3 disease (p=0.12) and 100% versus 33% for M1 disease (p=0.50). For diagnosing advanced lung cancer PET/CT had a sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 61%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 69%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 73%, and an accuracy of 70%. EUS-FNA had a sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 81%, and an accuracy of 89% for advanced lung cancer. Conclusions: PET/CT and EUS-FNA had a comparable sensitivity and NPV for diagnosing advanced lung cancer, but EUS-FNA had superior specificity and PPV. The two methods seem to complement each other.


Keywords: EUS-FNA, PET, PET/CT, mediastinum, lung cancer



Corresponding: Soeren S. Larsen, Efteraarsvej 10, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark, Phone: +45 22 43 15 10, Fax: +45 39 77 76 44, E-mail: ssl@dadlnet.dk


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.35.01.01 - Download PDF
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