Clinical value of immunoscintigraphy in the rectal carcinomas: immunoscintigraphy of rectal carcinomas

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical reliability of the immunoscintigraphy with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies for the detection of metastases and recurrences of rectal carcinomas.

A total of 65 patients underwent immunoscintigraphy with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies. Indication for that examination was suspicious rectal cancer or suspicious rectal cancer recurrence and/or metastases.

The method proved to have 92.7% sensitivity, specificity 83.3%, positive predictive value 90.5%, negative predictive value 87.0% and accuracy 89.2%. There was a statistically significant relationship between immunoscintigraphy findings and rectoscopy findings (rs=0.415, p=0.013), as well as significant relationship between immunoscintigraphy findings and US findings (rs=0.332, p=0.001). Tumor marker levels were in positive correlation with findings of immunoscintigraphy (rs=0.845, p=0.001), especially raised CEA level (rs=0.816, p=0.004). Patients with higher CA19-9 level had higher Duke's stage (p=0.025).

We can conclude that immunoscintigraphy can be helpful in the detection of metastases and recurrences of colon carcinomas.