Association between maximum standarised uptake value (SUV) and local control in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyse the prognostic ability of the maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) on local disease control in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy. Material and methodsRetrospective study of 105 patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas treated with radiotherapy, including chemo- and bio-radiotherapy, and who had a PET-CT scan prior to the start of treatment. ResultPatients with a SUVmax value higher than 17.2 at the primary tumour site had a significantly higher risk of local recurrence. The 5-year local recurrence-free survival for patients with SUVmax less than or equal to 17.2 (n = 71) was 86.5% (95% CI 78.2–94.7 %), and for patients with SUVmax greater than 17.2 (n = 34) it was 55.8% (95% CI 36.0–75.6 %) (P = 0.0001). This difference in local control was maintained regardless of patients' HPV status. Specific survival was similarly lower for patients with a SUV greater than 17.2. The 5-year specific survival for patients with SUVmax greater than 17.2 was 39.5% (95% CI: 20.6–58.3 %), significantly shorter than that of patients with SUVmax equal to or less than 17.2, which was 77.3% (95% CI: 66.9–87.6 %) (P = 0.0001). ConclusionsPatients with oropharyngeal carcinomas treated with radiotherapy with a SUVmax greater than 17.2 at the level of the primary tumour site had a significantly higher risk of local recurrence.