18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography parameters are associated with histological outcomes in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a standard treatment for early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, submucosal or lymphovascular invasion increases the risk of lymph node metastasis. Although F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) parameters are associated with prognosis in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the utility of FDG PET/CT in diagnosing superficial esophageal carcinoma remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between FDG PET/CT parameters and histopathological findings in superficial esophageal carcinoma. Fifty-three patients with superficial esophageal cancer who underwent FDG PET/CT scans before undergoing interventions were retrospectively analyzed. The maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis were significantly higher in the cases with submucosal invasion (T1b) compared with those confined to the muscularis mucosa (T1a). In contrast, classification of intrapapillary capillary loops patterns with magnifying endoscopy did not yield statistical differences between T1a and T1b. Multivariable analysis revealed that SUVmax was the only independent predictor of submucosal and lymphovascular invasion. This study demonstrated that SUVmax may be useful in predicting submucosal and lymphovascular invasion. Thus, the value of SUVmax may guide clinical decision-making in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.