Anatomic distribution of fluorodeoxyglucose-avid para-aortic lymph nodes in patients with cervical cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Conformal treatment of para-aortic lymph nodes (PAN) in cervical cancer allows dose escalation and reduces normal tissue toxicity. Currently, data documenting the precise location of involved PAN are lacking. We define the spatial distribution of this high-risk nodal volume by analyzing fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid lymph nodes (LNs) on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in patients with cervical cancer.

Methods and materials

We identified 72 PANs on pretreatment PET/CT of 30 patients with newly diagnosed stage IB-IVA cervical cancer treated with definitive chemoradiation. LNs were classified as left-lateral para-aortic (LPA), aortocaval (AC), or right paracaval (RPC). Distances from the LN center to the closest vessel and adjacent verteb

SUBMITTER: Takiar V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4709024 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature