Clinical and prognostic 18 F-FDG PET/CT role in recurrent vulvar cancer: a multicentric experience

Purpose The aim of this retrospective multicentric study was to investigate the diagnostic performance, the prognostic value and the impact of 18 F-FDG PET/CT on treatment decision-making in patients with suspected recurrent vulvar cancer (VC). Materials and methods Sixty-three patients affected by VC performed 18 F-FDG-PET/CT for restaging purposes in case of suspected clinical and/or radiological recurrence. Histopatology results if available and/or clinical-imaging follow-up for at least 12 months were considered as reference standard. The diagnostic accuracy and the clinical impact of 18 F-FDG PET/CT were investigated. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan–Meier curves. Results Fifty-two (82.5%) PET/CT showed the presence of recurrence, while the remaining 11 (17.5%) were negative. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of PET/CT were 100% (95%CI 93–100%), 92% (95%CI 62–100%), 98% (95%CI 89–99%), 100% and 98% (95%CI 92–100%). A relevant impact of 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging was registered in 28 cases: in 12 cases moving from local therapy to chemotherapy due to the recognition of disseminate localizations; in 10 showing the site of recurrence in presence of negative conventional imaging, and in 6 cases confirming to be true negative and avoiding unnecessary therapies. Beside advanced age and HPV status, a positive restaging 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan was significantly correlated with shorter PFS and OS compared to negative scan ( p < 0.001). Conclusions 18 F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated to be an accurate tool in the assessing of recurrent VC with high sensitivity and specificity and with a significant impact on clinical decision-making. Restaging 18 F-FDG PET/CT findings were associated with survival.