Pitfalls of positive findings in staging @entity418 with XXXX positron emission tomography.

@entity1 @entity5 @entity419 @entity418
BACKGROUND: @entity419 positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is valuable in staging of @entity418 . However, FDG-PET may falsely upstage @entity1 leading to incorrect exclusion from surgical treatment. This study was performed to determine the false-positive rate and possible causes. METHODS: The rate of false-positive lesions on FDG-PET was documented in 86 out of a group of 98 @entity1 . Lesions were defined as false positive when pathological examination was negative or as absence of @entity5 activity within 6 months of follow-up. To evaluate the influence of a learning curve on the false-positive rate, the PET scans were revised recently. RESULTS: False-positive lesions were found in 13 @entity1 (13 of 86; 15%). FDG-PET incorrectly revealed only locoregional node metastases in 5 @entity1 in whom surgery with curative intent was performed. Ten lesions in the other 8 @entity1 were classified as distant organ or as nonregional node metastases (M1a/1b). Finally, 5 @entity1 upstaged to M1a/1b underwent a curative resection. The number of false-positive lesions decreased from 16 to 5 (6%) after revision. CONCLUSIONS: Proper interpretation of FDG-PET in staging @entity418 is impeded by false-positive results. Even after completion of the learning curve, positive FDG-PET findings still have to be confirmed by additional investigations.
