Semin Chong MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kyung Soo Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Byung-Tae Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joon Young Choi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chin A Yi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ji Young Lee MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Myung Jin Chung MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tae Sung Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To describe integrated PET/CT findings of neuroendocrine (NE) tumors of the lung.

Between May 2003 and February 2005, 37 consecutive patients (M:F=33:4, age range; 23-78 years, mean; 60 years) with histopathologically proven NE tumor of the lung underwent FDG PET/CT. Tumor stages were determined using the TNM and AJCC staging systems for carcinoid and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), and using Veterans Administration Lung Study Group (VALG) definition for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). At PET, maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) was measured on primary tumors, and presence of mediastinal nodal and extrathoracic metastasis was also recorded. Correlation between maximum SUVs of primary tumors and histologic differences of neuroendocrine tumors or tumor staging was determined using the Jonckheere's test or Mann-Whitney test.

Typical and atypical carcinoids were seen in 2 and 5 patients, respectively; LCNEC in 15, or SCLC in 15. Tumor stages were as follows: IA in 5 (23%), IB in 6 (27%), IIA in 4 (18%), IIB in 4 (18%), and III in 3 (14%) in carcinoids and LCNEC (n = 22); limited disease in 9 (60%) and extensive disease in 6 (40%) in SCLC (n = 15). In 37 patients, the maximum SUV of tumors ranged from 3.2 to 25.6 (mean; 10.6, median; 9.4). Three (2 typical carcinoids and 1 atypical carcinoids) of 7 carcinoids appeared to be benign by showing no or lesser FDG uptake than mediastinal uptake. Maximum SUVs of primary tumors were significantly different among carcinoids (mean; 5.4, median; 4.0), LCNECs (mean; 12.0, median; 10.7), and SCLC (mean; 11.6, median; 11.7) and showed an increasing tendency in that order (p = 0.010, Jonckheere's test). There was significant positive correlation between maximum SUVs of primary tumors and tumor stages in carcinoids and LCNECs (p = 0.0385, Jonckheere's test), whereas there was no correlation in SCLC (p= 0.7683, Mann-Whitney test).

About one half of carcinoids simulate benign tumor by showing little uptake. Maximum SUVs of NE tumors are significantly different among carcinoids, LCNECs, and SCLCs, and the values show an increasing tendency in that listed order and correlate well with tumors stages in carcinoids and LCNECs.

Chong, S, Lee, K, Kim, B, Choi, J, Yi, C, Lee, J, Chung, M, Kim, T, et al, , Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung: Integrated PET/CT Findings in 37 Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4411618.html