RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The role of positron emission tomography in the selection of patients for salvage hysterectomy following chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer JF International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer JO Int J Gynecol Cancer FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 266 OP 271 DO 10.1136/ijgc-2018-000088 VO 29 IS 2 A1 Chrishanthi Rajasooriyar A1 Ming-Yin Lin A1 Rashi Kalra A1 Andrew Lim A1 Kailash Narayan YR 2019 UL http://ijgc.bmj.com/content/29/2/266.abstract AB Background Patients selection for salvage hysterectomy following chemoradiotherapy of cervical cancer is vital to avoid significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to describe the role of post-treatment F18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scanning (FDG-PET/CT) in patient selection for salvage hysterectomy.Methods This was a retrospective analysis of 49 patients with cervical cancer treated between January 1996 and December 2012 who were candidates for salvage hysterectomy.Results Three groups were defined based on institutional treatment guidelines, as experience in using post-treatment FDG-PET/CT to guide management evolved. Group 1 consisted of 15 patients who underwent planned hysterectomy based on clinical, cytological, or histological suspicion. Of these, only three (20%) patients had residual disease on histology. Group 2 consisted of 13 patients who had post-treatment FDG-PET/CT 3–6 months after the completion of chemoradiotherapy due either to suspicion of recurrence on examination or patients thought to be at high risk of recurrence at the primary site. Of these, eight patients had hysterectomy and four patients showed positive histology for residual tumor. Group 3 had 21 patients who showed isolated FDG uptake at the primary site on first FDG-PET/CT scanning at 6 months. A subsequent FDG-PET/CT scan after 3 months showed disease progression in seven and complete metabolic response in 14, and surgery was avoided in all patients.Conclusion FDG-PET/CT scanning at 6 months after radiotherapy is a good tool for assessing treatment response in patients with cervical cancer. In patients with persistent uptake on 6 months post-treatment FDG-PET/CT, repeat imaging at a 3-month interval helps in selecting patients for salvage hysterectomy.