The application of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for human hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review

Yao，Yong1,2; Civelek，A. Cahid3; Li，Xiao Feng1

2023-09-01

10.21037/qims-22-1420

Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery   Impact Factor & Quartile

2223-4292

2223-4306

Background and Objective: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a significant threat to human health. The mean overall survival (OS) of HCC is approximately 15.8 months whereas the 6-month and 1-year OS rates are only 71.6% and 49.7%, respectively. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been widely used for the management of several solid cancers; however, HCC frequently displays low 18F-FDG uptake; approximately 50% of HCC cases do not take up 18F-FDG. Therefore, 18F-FDG PET is not considered very useful for the visualization of HCC and is not currently a recommended standard imaging modality for HCC. Conversely, 18F-FDG PET/CT has been reported to be clinically important in the management, staging, and prognosis of HCC patients. Currently, reports relating to 18F-FDG uptake in HCC are unclear and controversial. There is an urgent need to clarify the efficacy of 18F-FDG PET for the management of HCC. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for all articles on the application of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for human HCC up to December 2021. The following search terms were used: 'Hepatocellular carcinoma', '[18F]FDG PET/CT', 'Hypoxia', '[11C]Choline'. Key Content and Findings: In this review, we re-evaluate the potential hypoxia-dependent uptake mechanism of 18F-FDG in HCC and review the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT for identifying, managing, and investigating the biological properties of HCC. Conclusions: 18F-FDG PET/CT is very useful for HCC visualization, management, and the evaluation of biological properties. A negative test for 18F-FDG uptake is not meaningless and may reflect a relatively better outcome. 18F-FDG-positive lesions indicate a significantly less favorable prognosis.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) hypoxia management prognosis

SCI

English

First

ShenzhenScience Technology Project["JCYJ20210324114005015","JCYJ20190806151003583"] ; Guangdong Province Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation[2021A1515220068]

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging

WOS:001046095000001

AME PUBLISHING COMPANY

2-s2.0-85171127062

Scopus

1.Department of Nuclear Medicine,Shenzhen People's Hospital,The Second Clinical Medical College,Jinan University,The First Affiliated Hospital,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,China
2.Clinical Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station,The First Affiliated Hospital,Jinan University,Guangzhou,China
3.Department of Radiology and Radiological Science,Johns Hopkins Medicine,Baltimore,United States

Yao，Yong,Civelek，A. Cahid,Li，Xiao Feng. The application of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for human hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review[J]. Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery,2023,13(9):6268-6279.

Yao，Yong,Civelek，A. Cahid,&Li，Xiao Feng.(2023).The application of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for human hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review.Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery,13(9),6268-6279.

Yao，Yong,et al."The application of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for human hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review".Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery 13.9(2023):6268-6279.