Pretreatment FDG-PET standardized uptake value as a prognostic factor for outcome in head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
We studied the potential prognostic significance of pretreatment 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) standardized uptake value (SUV) in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).


METHODS
A retrospective review of the pretreatment FDG-PET scans of 60 patients with SCCHN was performed. All patients received radiotherapy and 37 also received concurrent chemotherapy. SUV was calculated by 2 nuclear-medicine physicians who were blinded to the clinical data. Disease-free survival (DFS) was analyzed with respect to SUV (and other potential prognostic factors).


RESULTS
The median SUV was 7.2 (range, 1-24.7); 34 patients (57%) had SUV < 9.0 compared with 26 patients (43%) with an SUV > or = 9.0. The group with low SUV had significantly better 2-year DFS compared with the high SUV group (72% vs 37%), p = .007. On multivariate analysis, stage and age were also associated with DFS, but SUV remained an independent predictor of DFS (hazard ratio: 1.08; p = .016).


CONCLUSIONS
SUV was significantly associated with outcome after modern definitive therapy of SCCHN.
Machtay
Mitchell
M
Department of Radiation Oncology, Jefferson Medical College and the Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. mitchell.machtay@mail.tju.edu
Natwa
Mona
M
Andrel
Jocelyn
J
Hyslop
Terry
T
Anne
P Rani
PR
Lavarino
Jororsali
J
Intenzo
Charles M
CM
Keane
William
W
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18