COMPARISON OF CT AND PET-CT FOR THE STAGING OF NON SMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMA & IT'S IMPACT ON PATIENT MANAGEMENT

Background: Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Among its subtypes, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80% of cases. Accurate staging of NSCLC is crucial for determining the most appropriate therapeutic approach and predicting patient outcomes. While contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality for staging, integrated positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has emerged as a valuable tool, offering functional and metabolic insights beyond anatomical imaging. This study aims to compare the staging accuracy of PET Aim: -CT with contrast-enhanced CT thorax in NSCLC patients and evaluate the impact of PET-CT on disease staging and subsequent patient management. A cross-sectional Methods: study was conducted on 87 biopsy-proven NSCLC patients over a two-year period. Each patient underwent both contrast-enhanced CT and PETCT. Staging differences were analyzed, and statistical tests were applied to assess the sensitivity, specicity, and predictive values of each modality. Results: PET-CT led to upstaging in 27.59% of cases and downstaging in 4.60% of cases compared to CT alone. PET-CT demonstrated superior sensitivity and specicity, particularly in detecting satellite nodules, lymph node metastases, and distant metastases. It improved TNM staging accuracy and inuenced management decisions in 32% of cases, with 24% undergoing treatment modications based on PET-CT ndings. Conclusion: PET-CT provides a more comprehensive assessment of NSCLC staging compared to CT, reducing both under- and overestimation of disease extent. Its ability to rene staging and guide management decisions underscores its importance in NSCLC evaluation. Incorporating PETCT into routine staging protocols can enhance treatment planning and improve patient outcomes.