The aim of the study was to examine the value of quantitative and qualitative MRI and11C acetate PET/CT parameters in predicting regional lymph node (LN) metastasis of newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa).
Patients with intermediate (n = 6) and high risk (n = 47) PCa underwent 3T MRI (40 patients) and11C acetate PET/CT (53 patients) before extended pelvic LN dissection. For each patient the visually most suspicious LN was assessed for mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean), maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax), size and shape and the primary tumour for T stage on MRI and ADCmean and SUVmax in the index lesion. The variables were analysed in simple and multiple logistic regression analysis.
All variables, except ADCmean and SUVmax of the primary tumor, were independent predictors of LN metastasis. In multiple logistic regression analysis the best model was ADCmean in combintion with MRI T-stage where both were independent predictors of LN metastasis, this combination had an AUC of 0.81 which was higher than the AUC of 0.65 for LN ADCmean alone and the AUC of 0.69 for MRI T-stage alone.
Several quantitative and qualitative imaging parameters are predictive of regional LN metastasis in PCa. The combination of ADCmean in lymph nodes and T-stage on MRI was the best model in multiple logistic regression with increased predictive value compared to lymph node ADCmean and T-stage on MRI alone.
Radiology and oncology. 2018 Jan 24*** epublish ***
Catrin von Below, Cecilia Wassberg, Rafael Grzegorek, Joel Kullberg, Charlotta Gestblom, Jens Sörensen, Mauritz Waldén, Håkan Ahlström
Department of Surgical Sciences/Radiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden., Department of Urology, Centralsjukhuset Karlstad, Karlstad, Sweden., Department of Pathology, Centralsjukhuset Karlstad, Karlstad, Sweden.