Is 18F-3-Fluoro-3-Deoxy-L-Thymidine Useful for the Staging and Restaging of Non–Small Cell

The objective of this study was to compare 18F-3-fluoro-3-deoxy-L-thymidine (FLT) PET with clinical TNM staging, includ-ing that by 18F-FDG PET, in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Patients with NSCLC underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET and whole-body 18F-FLT PET, using a median of 360 MBq of 18F-FDG (range, 160–500 MBq) and a median of 210 MBq of 18F-FLT (range, 130–420 MBq). 18F-FDG PET was performed 90 min after 18F-FDG injection, and 18F-FLT PET was performed 60 min after 18F-FLT injection. Two viewers independently categorized the localization and intensity of tracer uptake for all lesions. All 18F-FDG PET and 18F-FLT PET lesions were compared. Staging with 18F-FLT PET was com-pared with clinical TNM staging based on the findings of history, physical examination, bronchoscopy, CT, and 18F-FDG PET. From 8 patients, standardized uptake values (SUVs) were cal