Readily available CT screening for lung cancer is increasing the discovery of small, primary lung cancers. For a number of, a radiation technique called stereotactic body radiotherapy presents a less invasive therapy option to surgery that is typically offered to non-surgical candidates. Currently there is great interest in evaluating this approach in surgical candidates, but scientists have yet to identify an early method to determine the effectiveness in therapy which is vital. In a study presented today at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncologys 49th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, scientists present data showing metabolic response monitored by FDG PET may be an early surrogate for local therapy failure which may allow timely salvage surgery if deemed necessary.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy may be as effective a therapy of these small tumors as in comparison to surgery, explained Steven Feigenberg, M.D., an attending doctor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Because the technique causes scaring in the lungs, it can be difficult to identify progression of the tumor on a Computerized axial tomography scan in a timely fashion, our standard way of tracking lung tumors, which may adversely affect outcomes due to potential therapy delays.

Our study appears to show PET scans at 3 months following therapy allow an earlier and more accurate method to evaluate tumor response. Confirming these findings is critical so that we can scientifically compare stereotactic body radiotherapy with surgery for these small tumors.


Posted by: Andria    Source

---