Prospective Evaluation of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) in the Multimodality Management of Locally Advanced Primary Rectal Cancer
Prospective Evaluation of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) in the Multimodality Management of Locally Advanced Primary Rectal Cancer
RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as PET and CT scans, may improve the ability to detect the extent of locally advanced primary rectal cancer and may also help to measure a patient's response to treatment.
PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying how well PET and CT scans detect residual or metastatic disease in patients with locally advanced primary rectal cancer that can be removed during surgery.
OBJECTIVES:
OUTLINE: This is a diagnostic study conducted concurrently with multimodality management.
Within 1-2 weeks prior to starting preoperative radiotherapy/chemotherapy, patients undergo baseline positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Patients receive fludeoxyglucose F 18 (FDG) IV followed 45 minutes later by PET imaging. Patients also undergo baseline CT imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. A CT scan of the chest is obtained if the prestudy chest x-ray is abnormal.
Patients receive preoperative radiotherapy/chemotherapy. Within 4-6 weeks of completion of radiotherapy/chemotherapy, patients undergo repeat FDG-PET imaging and CT scan. Patients undergo surgical resection 1-2 weeks later.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 125 patients will be accrued for this study within 3 years.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
Primary resectable rectal cancer as determined by currently accepted diagnostic work-up, including CT scan and endorectal ultrasound (EUS)
Must meet criteria for preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy:
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age:
Performance status:
Life expectancy:
Hematopoietic:
Hepatic:
Renal:
Other:
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy:
Chemotherapy:
Endocrine therapy:
Radiotherapy:
Surgery: