Comparing MRI, CT, and Two PET Scans 18F-FDGal and 18F-choline for Diagnosing Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Adults

What this Trial Is About

Hepatocellular carcinoma HCC is the most common primary liver tumor and ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In Denmark, the incidence is 5.2 per 100,000 population per year, with a median survival time of only 7.7 months. Since most patients with HCC have liver cirrhosis, diagnosis can often be made without invasive procedures by using characteristic contrast patterns on CT or MRI scans. Although both CT and MRI are standard, MRI may be better at detecting small liver lesions. This research aims to compare the effectiveness of two PET tracers, 18F-FDGal and 18F-choline, alongside MRI and CT to improve diagnosis and staging of HCC. In this study, fifty patients with known HCC will undergo two PETCT scans using the tracers 18F-FDGal and 18F-choline. Some patients will also have a contrast-enhanced MRI scan instead of one of the CT scans, while a contrast-enhanced CT remains part of the standard diagnostic process. The images from these scans will be carefully analyzed and compared by specialists to assess the diagnostic performance of each tracer and imaging method. This head-to-head comparison intends to establish which tracer and imaging technique provide the best detection of both intra- and extrahepatic HCC. Participants will be involved in undergoing these imaging procedures, including PETCT scans and possibly MRI. Specialists will monitor and interpret the imaging results for focal lesions. The primary outcome measured is the sensitivity and specificity of the two PET tracers over a three-year period, with secondary outcomes assessing MRI and CT effectiveness. The study is sponsored by the University of Aarhus and is planned to continue until December 2025, ensuring thorough evaluation of imaging methods in HCC diagnosis and staging.

A Head-to-head Comparison of MRI, CT, 18F-FDGal and 18F-choline in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma