Author(s)

Johannes Mueller, Thomas Schnoeller, Friedemann Zengerling, Sandra Waalkes, Andreas Al Ghazal, Florian Jentzmik, Mark Schrader, Andres Jan Schrader

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Background: A meta-analysis was performed to determine the value of 2-¹⁸fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for assessing viable tumor residuals after chemotherapy in patients with pure seminoma. Materials and methods: This review included five studies published between 1999 and 2010 with a total of 130 patients who underwent both computed tomography (CT) and FDG-PET scanning for residual tumor detection after systemic therapy. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET and CT (tumor size ≤ or > 3 cm) in identifying vital tumor tissue. Results: On the average, FDG-PET had higher specificity (92% vs. 59%) and sensitivity (72% vs. 63%) as well as a higher positive predictive value (PPV) than the solely size-based CT assessment of residual tumors (70% vs. 28%). PEt also tended to have a higher negative predictive value (93% vs. 86%). Conclusion: The present evaluation of currently available data indicates that FDG-PET is superior to CT in detecting viable tumor residuals after chemotherapy in patients with metastatic seminoma. Its application can thus be recommended.

FDG-PET, Seminoma, Testicular Cancer, Diagnosis, Residual Disease

J. Mueller, T. Schnoeller, F. Zengerling, S. Waalkes, A. Ghazal, F. Jentzmik, M. Schrader and A. Schrader, "Meta-Analysis to Determine the Diagnostic Value of 2-¹⁸Fluoro-2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography in Assessing Residual Tumors after Systemic Therapy for Metastatic Seminoma," Open Journal of Urology, Vol. 1 No. 3, 2011, pp. 50-55. doi: 10.4236/oju.2011.13011.