¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are a number of different types of cancer that result from squamous cells. These cells form on the surface of the skin, on the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts etc. To evaluate SCC and frequencies of their localizations based on the findings of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT).

This study included 343 consecutive patients with SCC who were sent for the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. Inclusion criteria were: Pathohistologically verified SCC; absence of malignancy of any other localization, as well as absence of infection; and glycemia ≤11mmol/L.

The pathological findings on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were present in 86% of patients. There was statistically significant difference in the finding of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in relation to gender (P>0.006). The disease was more often present in women. The most common localizations of disease were: lungs (70%), vagina/cervix (18%), gastrointestinal tract (18%), head and neck (5%). Highest maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) levels were seen in the lungs 11.78±8.38, vagina/cervix 11.21±8.10, and head and neck area 6.32±3.96.

Fluorine-18-FDG PET/CT can be informative in evaluation of SCC. Disease is present usually in women, although it is the same pathohistological type of disease, different organs accumulate this radioactive contrast differently.