Can PET/CT detect recurrence in post-operative colorectal carcinoma patients with elevated CEA level?

PET is considered to be the most sensitive and specific modality for the detection of recurrent colorectal cancer. This study is to assess the role of F18-FDG PET/CT in post-operative assessment in a patient with colorectal cancer with elevated CEA level to rule out local recurrence and/or metastasis and hence guiding the clinician to the proper management strategy. This study was performed on 45 patients who underwent surgical resection of the colon and/or rectal cancer; they were referred for PET/CT assessment at least 3 months after surgical resection. F18-FDG PET/CT sensitivity and specificity in detecting the recurrence and/or metastasis were 96.9 % and 83.3%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 94.2% while the negative predictive value was 90%. For post-operative detection of loco-regional recurrence and metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer and elevated CEA level, 18F-FDG PET/CT can be considered as an efficient diagnostic imaging tool due to its high sensitivity and specificity which extensively affect further management.