Long-Term Prognostic Value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Previously Treated with Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy

Abstract

In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer previously treated with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, the combined evaluation of pathologic stage and after-radiochemotherapy (18)F-FDG PET at restaging identified a subgroup of patients characterized by good response to radiochemotherapy and a more favorable prognosis. In these patients, a conservative surgical approach might be considered.