Comparison of MRI, CT, 18F-FDGal PET/CT, and 18F-choline PET/CT for Detecting and Staging Hepatocellular Carcinoma

What this Trial Is About

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor and ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In Denmark, HCC occurs at a rate of 5.2 per 100,000 people annually, with a poor median survival time of just 7.7 months. Many patients with HCC have liver cirrhosis, and diagnosis is often made non-invasively using CT or MRI scans. MRI may be more sensitive than CT, especially for detecting small lesions. Positron emission tomography (PET) using different tracers is being studied to improve detection and staging of HCC, with 18F-FDGal and 18F-choline showing promise. This study compares two PET tracers, 18F-FDGal and 18F-choline, in 50 patients already diagnosed with HCC. Participants will undergo two PET/CT scans, one with each tracer. Additionally, some CT scans will be replaced by contrast-enhanced MRI scans. A standard contrast-enhanced CT scan will also be performed as part of routine care. Images from these scans will be reviewed by specialists to evaluate the ability of each tracer and imaging method to detect liver tumors and spread. During the study, participants will have PET/CT and MRI or CT scans to assess tumor presence and spread. Researchers will measure the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the two PET tracers over a three-year period. Safety and feasibility of the scans will also be monitored. The total involvement duration depends on follow-up and imaging schedules during the study period.

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