Can Peritoneal Cancer Index Be Determined in 18F-FDG PET/CT Before Surgery in Ovarian Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Abstract

Background This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) in patients diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis secondary to ovarian cancer. Methods Thirty patients with ovarian cancer (FIGO stages IIIC to IV) who underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging at our institution were included. The surgical peritoneal cancer index (sPCI) was statistically compared with the radiological PCI (rPCI) derived from preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. Results Statistical analysis revealed significantly lower predictive values for rPCI compared to sPCI (p = 0.013). Subgroup analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference between sPCI and rPCI in patients with sPCI <= 10 (p = 0.096). Conclusions Our findings suggest that 18F-FDG PET/CT has limited utility in predicting the peritoneal cancer index in ovarian carcinomatosis. However, it may be clinically reliable in cases where the radiological PCI is < 10.