¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT-based recurrence patterns and survival outcomes in esophageal carcinoma: single center experience

Authors

  • Milica Kotur Center for Nuclear Medicine with PET, University Clinical Center of Serbia
  • Strahinja Odalovic Center for Nuclear Medicine with PET, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Jelena Petrovic Center for Nuclear Medicine with PET, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Nikola Pantic Center for Nuclear Medicine with PET, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Isidora Grozdic Milojevic
  • Dragana Sobic Saranovic Center for Nuclear Medicine with PET, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Predrag Sabljak Clinic for Digestive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Vera Artiko Center for Nuclear Medicine with PET, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Background. This study aimed to evaluate differences among three patient groups with suspected recurrent esophageal carcinoma (EC), defined by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) findings, in quantitative and semiquantitative PET/CT parameters and serum tumor markers, and to assess their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Patients and methods. This retrospective cohort study included 77 patients with positive 18F-FDG PET/CT findings between January 2014 and December 2025. Based on 18F-FDG PET/CT findings, patients were classified into three groups: G1 (isolated locoregional recurrence), G2 (isolated metastases), and G3 (both locoregional disease and metastases). Semiquantitative and quantitative 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters, histopathological characteristics, and blood tumor marker levels were compared among the groups. For survival analysis, patients were stratified into low and high groups according to the median value of each parameter.

Results. Elevated CEA levels were significantly more frequent in G2 and G3 compared with G1 (p = 0.005), while no significant difference was observed for CA19-9 levels (p = 0.280). Significant differences in all analyzed 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters were found among the three groups, with the highest values in G3. Patients with lower SUVmax and SUVmean values demonstrated significantly longer PFS and OS. Lower MTV and TLG values were associated with significantly longer PFS, while OS was also longer, although without statistical significance.

Conclusions. Studies stratifying patients by isolated locoregional recurrence, isolated metastases, and combined locoregional/metastases on 18F-FDG PET/CT remain limited. Our findings suggest that disease spread patterns and semiquantitative/quantitative 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters may provide important prognostic value in patients with EC.

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Published

2026-09-02

How to Cite

Kotur, M., Odalovic, S., Petrovic, J., Pantic, N., Grozdic Milojevic, I., Sobic Saranovic, D., … Artiko, V. (2026). ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT-based recurrence patterns and survival outcomes in esophageal carcinoma: single center experience. Radiology and Oncology, 60(3), 346–355. Retrieved from https://radioloncol.com/index.php/ro/article/view/4928

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 3 (2026)

Section

Nuclear medicine

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Milica Kotur, Strahinja Odalovic, Jelena Petrovic, Nikola Pantic, Isidora Grozdic Milojevic, Dragana Sobic Saranovic, Predrag Sabljak, Vera Artiko

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Please read the terms of this agreement, print, initial page 1, sign page 3, scan and send the document as one file attached to an e-mail to gsersa@onko-i.si

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