Is positron emission tomography useful in locoregional staging of esophageal cancer? Results of a multidisciplinary initiative comparing CT, positron emission tomography, and EUS.

BACKGROUND: Various modalities including CT, positron emission tomography (PET), and EUS are being used for esophageal cancer staging.

OBJECTIVE: We compared results of locoregional staging by CT, PET, and EUS with histologic staging.

DESIGN: Retrospective chart review.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Patients with esophageal cancer proven by endoscopy and biopsy underwent a CT scan of the chest and abdomen and a PET scan. Patients with no evidence of distant metastatic disease on CT and PET were referred for EUS for locoregional staging.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: The tumor size (T) and lymph node (N) stage as determined by EUS were compared with surgical pathology or EUS-guided FNA cytology. The results of N staging with CT, PET, and EUS were compared with surgical pathology or EUS-FNA cytology.

RESULTS: Between May 2005 and April 2006, 29 patients (24 men, mean age 68 years) underwent EUS. EUS was successful in 25 of 29 patients (86%). There were no EUS-related complications. Eleven of 16 patients with available lymph node histologic study had confirmed metastasis. Nodal metastasis was correctly identified by CT in 6 of 11 patients, by PET in 4 of 11 patients, and by EUS in 10 of 11 patients. Overall accuracy for N staging was 69% for CT, 56% for PET, and 81% for EUS. Fifteen patients had confirmed T staging by surgical pathologic examination. The percentage of agreement for T staging between EUS and surgical pathology was 80% (12/15 patients).

LIMITATIONS: Single center, retrospective chart review.

CONCLUSION: EUS is safe and accurate for tumor and node staging in esophageal cancer. The combination of CT plus EUS appears to be accurate for locoregional staging in esophageal cancer.