Prognostic value of post-Yttrium 90 radioembolization therapy 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in patients with liver tumors.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the benefit of post-therapy (18)F-FDG PET/CT versus CT alone in identifying malignant liver tumor progression following radioembolization with Y-90 microspheres.

METHODS: 24 patients with 44 liver tumors underwent CT imaging pre-radioembolization and PET/CT post-radioembolization. Predictive value of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), The World Health Organization (WHO), mRECIST and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) with PET/CT versus CT alone was assessed.

RESULTS: Prediction of liver malignancy progression was improved (p<0.05) for tumors labeled as non-responding based on combined PET/CT with RECIST 1.1, WHO, mRECIST, and EASL criteria compared to assessment without PET.

CONCLUSIONS: The addition of post-therapy PET to routine CT in patients with hepatic tumors undergoing radioembolization may improve identification of non-responding tumors.