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

Introduction and objectiveThe 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.MethodThe 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.ResultsThe 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).