Evaluation of the Predictive Potential of 18F-FDG PET and DWI Data Sets for Relevant Prognostic Parameters of Primary Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

摘要

In this study, we assessed the potential of simultaneously acquired 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) and magnetic resonance imaging-derived quantitative imaging parameters to predict the tumor grade, metastatic status, and response to neoadjuvant therapy of primary soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities. Based on the results of the present study, quantifications of the 18F-FDG PET uptake provide useful prognostic data for the evaluation of histopathological response to neoadjuvant treatment as well as the aggressiveness of high-risk sarcomas, whereas no correlation between the different outcome variables and the results for tumor size and diffusion-weighted imaging-derived apparent diffusion coefficient values was found. Accordingly, measurements of the metabolic activity of primary and untreated soft-tissue sarcomas could non-invasively deliver relevant information, that may be used for treatment planning and risk-stratification of sarcoma patients in a pretherapeutic setting.