Ga-67 scan in patients with intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma planned for surgery

The authors evaluated Ga-67 scan in 68 patients with intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma initially planned for surgery. Of these, 59 patients were staged pathologically or surgically; their Ga-67 scan results correctly predicted the presence of extraesophageal spread and lymph node metastases. Of 38 clinical Stage II patients, 15 (39%) could be Stage III by the results of Ga-67 scan. However, two of four clinical Stage I patients (50%) and 35 of 38 clinical Stage II patients (92%) were eventually pathologic or surgical Stage III. This high conversion rate and the high incidence of Stage III in esophageal carcinoma patients may not justify routine use of Ga-67 scan only for staging. Ga-67 scan, however, was useful for planning radiotherapy, because missing extraesophageal extension or gross metastases from the radiation fields were detected in six patients of 51 so treated. Ga-67 scan has its value in some patients with intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma.