ThP3.9 - Direct to PET-CT in oesophagogastric cancers: A pilot project at a tertiary upper gastrointestinal surgical referral centre

Abstract Background Oesophageal cancer contributes to 18% of cancer mortalities worldwide. The aim of this pilot project was to offer direct positron emission tomography- computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging and observe any differences in time to investigation and treatment in the cohorts. Methods Patients referred with a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer between 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022 were included. Data was collected from the electronic patient record and retrospective analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. Results A total of 189 patients with OG cancer were included. There were 89 local and 100 network patients. Median age was 71[range 37 – 93]. Locally male female ratio was 52:37 and in the network 73:27 [“p” 0.03]. Of 35 patients who had direct PET-CT (A) 31(88%) were local and 4(12%) from the network. Among 115 patients who had a CT followed by PET scan (B) 29(25%) were local and 86 (75%) from the network [ “p” 0.00001]. Waiting times were 27 days for a PET-CT as compared to 32 days for PET after CT scan [ “p” 0.09]. Reports were available in a median 4 days in group A compared to 3.5 days in group B [ “p” 0.66]. In group A 12 (35%) had metastases with nodal metastases in 9(75%) and distant metastases in 3(25%). Conclusion Whilst direct to PET-CT improved patient experience there were no statistically significant differences in the time to investigations and treatment. Three patients with distant metastases offered direct PET-CT could have been diagnosed by CT.