The Diagnostic Accuracy of Non-invasive Lymph Node Imaging in Gynaecologic Malignancies
The presence of lymph node metastases indicates a poor prognosis, with a marked decrease in
5-year survival rate. Lymph node involvement is an important factor in the choice of
adjuvant treatment in gynaecological malignancies. Surgical lymphadenectomy is the gold
standard for the diagnosis of lymph node metastases. This is a highly specialized procedure
with increase in operative time and cost, and risk of surgery-related morbidity. Therefore,
a non-invasive technique that accurately identifies lymph node metastasis would be
beneficial. Diffusion Weighted whole body Imaging with Background Signal suppression (DWIBS)
is a new imaging technique, which lightens lymph nodes and possibly differentiates normal
and hyperplastic from metastatic lymph nodes. Cancer metastases in lymph nodes may be
associated with alterations in water diffusivity and microcirculation within the node. It is
also likely that cell density might play an important role. So far, no feasibility studies
have will be evaluated for its accuracy, effectiveness, and feasibility in detecting lymph
node metastases in gynaecological malignancies, as a possible alternative for the surgical
staging method. The accuracy of a pelvic lymph node dissection (reference test) will also be
evaluated by performing a post-operative DWIBS scan.
Observational
Observational Model: Cohort, Time Perspective: Prospective
A.P.M. Heintz, M.D. PhD.
Principal Investigator
University Medical Centre Utrecht
Netherlands: The Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CCMO)
DINGO study
NCT00288821
February 2006
March 2009
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