The comparison of SUVmax values in 18 F-FDG PET/CT according to cell type, stage, lymph node involvement and metastasis in lung cancers

Abstract

Aims: 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) provides metabolic information in addition to anatomic extension. This study aimed to compare the primary tumor maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax ) on PET/CT according to the histopathological type, stage, nodal involvement, and the metastasis of lung cancers. Methods: In this retrospective study, PET/CTs of the patients with lung cancer were examined. Staging of the cancer was performed according to the eighth (8 th ) edition of the tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) classification system. SUVmax values were recorded and compared. Results: Two hundred thirty-three patients with lung cancer (78.5% male, mean age: 67.0±9.6 years, range: 47-91 years) were analyzed. The SUVmax value of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (15.2±7.6) was higher than the SUVmax values of adenocarcinoma (AC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) (10.9±5.6 and 12.2±5.5, respectively, p