Sequential FDG-PET scanning in the assessment of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in operable esophageal cancer

4056 Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy using two cycles of cisplatin and 5FU is standard practice in the UK in patients with potentially operable cancer of the esophagus. The role of FDG-PET scanning in predicting response to this chemotherapy was assessed. Method: Twenty-three patients with potentially operable disease at presentation underwent two cycles of chemotherapy as in the OEO2 trial protocol. FDG-PET scanning was performed before chemotherapy, and again after the second cycle of chemotherapy in seventeen patients. Two independent assessors, who were unaware of the histopathological results, assessed the percentage change in tumour SUV max, mean and tumour to liver ratio. Histopathological regression was graded according to the Mandard score 1 to 5 (where 1 represents a complete response, and 5 represents no regression). Association between histopathological and FDG-PET response was quantified by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, rS. Results: No significant correlation was found between...