Association between standardized uptake value and survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer

Abstract

Introduction and objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between tumor Standard Uptake Value (SUVmax) values obtained by PET/CT, and survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer. Method: The present study included 38 patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer, who were staged using PET/CT at diagnosis. PET/CT imaging findings were evaluated retrospectively. The effect of SUVmax value by PET/CT on overall survival was analyzed. Results: The most common tumor localization was laryngeal cancer among 38 patients included in the study (n = 25, 65.8%). The study group consisted of mostly male patients (n = 33, 86.8%), and the median age was 58 (range: 24–77). The median SUVmax value was 11 (range: 3–58). Median survival was 32.7 months in patients with SUVmax ≤11 compared to 16.5 months in patients with SUVmax >11 (p = 0.019).

Keywords

• Standard uptake value
• PET CT
• Head and neck cancer