Positron Emission Tomographic Scanning Predicts Survival After Induction Chemotherapy for Esophageal Carcinoma

Complete response and PET appear equivalent in predicting pathological downstaging. However, a 50% reduction in the maxSUV after induction therapy is more significantly associated with improved DFS than CR or pathological downstaging. Additionally, a complete absence of PET signal cannot be equated with a complete pathological response.