Jenny Hoang MBBS, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Luke Hoagland MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

R. Edward Coleman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research grant, General Electric Company Consultant, General Electric Company Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG Medical Advisory Board, Radiology Corporation of America Stockholder, Radiology Corporation of America Speakers Bureau, Radiology Corporation of America Speakers Bureau, Alliance Imaging, Inc

April Coan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

James Herndon PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Edward Frank Patz MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

A number of studies have found that metabolic activity on fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in patients with early stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) correlates with tumor doubling time and survival. This study wanted to determine if the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on FDG PET in patients with advanced NSCLC correlated with survival.

A retrospective review of the tumor registry at our institution between January 1995 and December 2000 identified 187 patients with advanced stage NSCLC (Stage IIIa, IIIb and IV) who had an FDG PET study at the time of diagnosis. Tumor histological cell type, clinical and pathological stage at presentation, site of metastasis, and treatment were recorded from the patient’s medical record. The SUVmax in the primary tumor was quantitatively used to determine FDG PET activity. Survival data was obtained from the tumor registry and verified on review of the medical records.

In the study group of 187 patients the median survival was 15 months (range 0-139). 56 patients surviving 24 months and longer had median SUVmax of 9.65 (range 2.49-36.81). 73 subjects who died before 12 months had a median SUVmax of 11.48 (range 2.32-24.772). For SUVmax greater than 10 and less than 10, median survival was 15 months (range 0-95) and 17 months (range 0-139), respectively. The survival curves for both groups did not diverge significantly. The correlation coeffient for SUVmax and survival was -0.067 (p < 0.36).

There is no significant correlation between FDG PET activity in the primary tumor at presentation and survival in patients with advanced stage NSCLC.

In advanced stage NSCLC FDG PET does not provide prognostic information.

Hoang, J, Hoagland, L, Coleman, R, Coan, A, Herndon, J, Patz, E, Prognostic Value of FDG PET Imaging in Patients with Advanced Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5012367.html