Short communication: oesophageal tumour volume measurement using spiral CT

A CT technique for measuring oesophageal cancer tumour volume in the monitoring of local disease response following radiotherapy or chemotherapy is described. Patients with newly diagnosed oesophageal carcinoma were referred for pre- and post-chemotherapy CT scans. IV Buscopan was given to abolish peristalsis. Patients were scanned in prone position. Effervescent gas granules and Calogen (a negative contrast of fat density) were given. Spiral scanning was performed. The area of tumour on each 1 cm slice was measured. The sum of these areas gave tumour volume in cubic centimetres. The accuracy of the method was tested on patients who had had surgery. The volume of the segment of oesophagus containing tumour was measured by its weight and water displacement. Lumenal distention proximal and distal to the tumour was achieved in all patients. 10 gross surgical specimens were available for comparison with pre-operative CT. The correlation coefficient was 0.95. In conclusion, accurate tumour volume assessment was achieved with our technique.