Prognostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameters and histopathologic variables in head and neck cancer

¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography parameters such as; maximum standardized uptake values, standard metabolic tumor volume and otal lesion glycosis are important prognostic biomarkers in cancers.

To investigate the prognostic value of these parameters in patients with head and neck cancers.

We performed a retrospective study including 47 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography prior to treatment. Standard metabolic tumor volume, otal lesion glycosis and standardized uptake were measured for each patient. The prognostic value of quantitative ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography parameters and clinicopathologic variables on disease free survival and overall survival were analyzed.

The median (range) standard metabolic tumor volume and otal lesion glycosis and standardized uptake were 7.63cm³ (0.6-34.3), 68.9g (2.58-524.5g), 13.89 (4.89-33.03g/mL), respectively. Lymph node metastases and tumour differentiation were significant variables for disease free survival and overall survival, however, all ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography parameters were not associated with disease- free survival and overall survival.

Pretreatment quantities positron emission tomography parameters did not predict survival in head and neck cancer.