Application of Early Dynamic ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in T1 and T2 Cervical Cancer

Early 10-minute dynamic F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (ED ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) can assess blood flow characteristics in cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer and bladder cancer. However, its application in cervical cancer detection is unexplored. This study evaluated the role of ED ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in detecting cervical cancer and the correlation between maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and tumour-to-background ratio (TBR) in patients with stages T1 and T2 cervical cancer.

Twenty-six patients with confirmed cervical cancer underwent both ED ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and 60-minute static whole-body ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT (WB ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT). SUVmax and TBR of cervical cancer lesions were compared between stages T1 and T2.

ED ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated 100% sensitivity (n = 26/26) in detecting cervical cancer. The SUVmax of cervical cancer lesions in ED phases was significantly higher than that of non-cancerous myometrium. A significant positive correlation was observed between the SUVmax of cervical cancer lesions at ED phases (80 seconds and 180-600 seconds) and SUVmax at WB ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT (P < 0.05). The TBR at ED phases (120 seconds and 240-600 seconds) showed a significant positive correlation with TBR at WB ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT (P < 0.05). Comparisons between stages T1 and T2 showed significantly higher SUVmax and TBR at various ED phases (300, 360, 480-600 seconds) and WB phase in stage T2 (P < 0.05).

ED ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT appears to have clinical value in diagnosing cervical cancer. The SUVmax and TBR obtained during the ED ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scan may help differentiate between stage T1 and stage T2 cervical cancer.