Prognostic significance of clinical and 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters for post-distant metastasis survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients

• Published in: Journal of surgical oncology 2016-12, Vol.114 (7), p.888-894
• Main Authors: Cho, Jae-Keun, Hyun, Seung Hyup, Choi, Joon Young, Choi, Nayeon, Kim, Min-Ji, Lee, Se-Hoon, Baek, Kwan-Hyuck, Jeong, Han-Sin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: distant metastasis; FDG PET; head and neck cancer; Medical prognosis; Metastasis; prognosis; standardized uptake value; Tomography; Tumors
• ISSN: 0022-4790; 1096-9098
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.24412

Introduction Distant metastasis (M1) to vital organs remains a major cause of death in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Clinically the survival periods vary in individual M1 HNSCC patients and a prognostic indicator has not been fully studied. Here, we evaluated the prognostic factors for survival including 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) parameters in M1 HNSCC patients. Methods The study included 108 patients with newly diagnosed M1 HNSCC (68 during clinical courses, 40 at presentation) who underwent FDG PET/CT. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of metastatic tumors was measured by FDG PET/CT. Associations of primary tumor or metastatic tumor variables with overall survival were assessed with Cox regression models. Results Multivariate analyses demonstrated that nasopharynx primary and incomplete response of loco‐regional disease to treatment were significant prognostic factors. In addition, adverse prognostic factors included short distant metastasis‐free period (