Results of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0050 Trial: The utility of positron emission tomography in staging potentially operable non-small cell lung cancer Journal Article


Authors: Reed, C. E.; Harpole, D. H.; Posther, K. E.; Woolson, S. L.; Downey, R. J.; Meyers, B. F.; Heelan, R. T.; Macapinlac, H. A.; Jung, S. H.; Silvestri, G. A.; Siegel, B. A.; Rusch, V. W.; Cerfolio, R. J.; Detterbeck, F. C.
Article Title: Results of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0050 Trial: The utility of positron emission tomography in staging potentially operable non-small cell lung cancer
Abstract: Objectives: The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group undertook a trial to ascertain whether positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose could detect lesions that would preclude pulmonary resection in a group of patients with documented or suspected non-small cell lung cancer found to be surgical candidates by routine staging procedures. Methods: A total of 303 eligible patients registered from 22 institutions underwent positron emission tomography after routine staging (computed tomography of chest and upper abdomen, bone scintigraphy, and brain imaging) had deemed their tumors resectable. Positive findings required confirmatory procedures. Results: Positron emission tomography was significantly better than computed tomography for the detection of N1 and N2/N3 disease (42% vs 13%, P = .0177, and 58% vs 32%, P = .0041, respectively). The negative predictive value of positron emission tomography for mediastinal node disease was 87%. Unsuspected metastatic disease or second primary malignancy was identified in 18 of 287 patients (6.3%). Distant metastatic disease indicated in 19 of 287 patients (6.6%) was subsequently shown to be benign. By correctly identifying advanced disease (stages IIIA, IIIB, and IV) or benign lesions, positron emission tomography potentially avoided unnecessary thoracotomy in 1 of 5 patients. Conclusions. In patients with suspected or proven non-small cell lung cancer considered resectable by standard staging procedures, positron emission tomography can prevent nontherapeutic thoracotomy in a significant number of cases. Use of positron emission tomography for mediastinal staging should not be relied on as a sole staging modality, and positive findings should be confirmed by mediastinoscopy. Metastatic disease, especially a single site, identified by positron emission tomography requires further confirmatory evaluation.
Keywords: adult; aged; middle aged; cancer surgery; major clinical study; advanced cancer; cancer patient; cancer staging; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; positron emission tomography; lymphatic metastasis; radiopharmaceuticals; computer assisted tomography; lung non small cell cancer; lung resection; carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; lung neoplasms; tomography, x-ray computed; utilization review; fluorodeoxyglucose f 18; fluorodeoxyglucose f18; predictive value of tests; outcomes research; tomography, emission-computed; lung nodule; humans; prognosis; human; male; female; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume: 126
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0022-5223
Publisher: Mosby Elsevier  
Date Published: 2003-12-01
Start Page: 1943
End Page: 1951
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2003.07.030
PUBMED: 14688710
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 12 September 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Valerie W Rusch
    865 Rusch
  2. Robert J Downey
    254 Downey
  3. Robert T Heelan
    140 Heelan