The Role of Positron Emission Tomography/computed Tomography in Planning Radiotherapy in Endometrial Cancer

Objective: The optimal method of assessing disease distribution in endometrial cancer is widely debated. Knowledge of disease distribution assists in planning adjuvant radiotherapy; in this study we used positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to assess disease distribution before radiotherapy.

Methods: Seventy-three consecutive patients referred to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for adjuvant radiotherapy for endometrial cancer, with either high-risk disease after a hysterectomy or recurrent disease, had a PET/CT before treatment. The findings on PET/CT and clinical course were recorded.

Results: PET/CT found additional disease in 35% of postoperative patients, changing planned treatment in 31%. In the group with known recurrence, additional disease was found in 72%, changing management in 36%.

Conclusions: PET/CT is a valuable tool for planning radiotherapy in endometrial cancer.