Background: Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all gynecological cancers and usually diagnosed at a late stage due to the paucity and insidious onset of symptoms. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a non-invasive, accurate imaging method for many cancers. This study aimed to early detection of recurrent postoperative ovarian cancer through FDG-PET/CT with subsequently better treatment outcome and prolonged survival time.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 20 female patients with suspected recurrent ovarian cancer either clinically or elevated CA-125 level above 35 U/ml or suspicious findings at conventional imaging methods (CT, US or MRI). Whole-Body PET/CT Imaging with 18F-FDG was performed to confirm presence of recurrence. The results were compared to histopathological results or six-month follow up.

Results: Thirty-three lesions were detected by PET/CT scan of which 5 lesions found in the pelvis, 9 peritoneal, 2 pelvic, 1 para-aortic 8 distant lymph nodes, and 8 distant organs lesions. The majority of the patients show multifocal recurrent lesions (80%) of positive cases . There was no statistically significant relation between having peritoneal implants and patients' characteristics. Moreover, there was no statistically significant relation between having distant metastasis and (clinical presentation, serum CA125 concentration, conventional imaging results, FIGO and WHO classification and treatment) of patients

Conclusion: PET/CT is a convenient modality in the evaluation of ovarian cancer recurrence; it can detect and localize the recurrence with high accuracy, thus influence and modify the treatment plan, and reduce the need for a second look surgery.

Keywords: Ovarian Carcinoma; 18F-FDG PET/CT; Recurrence