Objectives: Accurate detection of recurrent cervical cancer remains a clinical difficulty. This study aims to assess the diagnostic value of PET or PET-computed tomography (PET-CT) using F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) in recurrent cervical cancer using a meta-analysis.
Study design: All published studies in English evaluating the diagnostic value of PET or PET-CT in detecting recurrent cervical cancer were collected. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and summary receiver-operating characteristic curves were obtained using statistical software. Twenty studies were included in the meta-analysis.
Results: The meta-analysis showed that the pooled sensitivity and specificity of PET and PET-CT to detect distant metastasis in recurrent cervical cancer were 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-0.92] and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96-0.98), respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for local regional recurrence were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72-0.90) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.99), respectively.
Conclusion: F-FDG-PET and PET-CT are valuable methods for the assessment of recurrent cervical cancer.