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. 2023 Oct;33(10):7274-7283.
doi: 10.1007/s00330-023-09641-w. Epub 2023 Apr 15.

Prognostic value of TLR from FDG PET/CT in patients with margin-negative stage IB and IIA non-small cell lung cancer

Hye Lim Park  1 , Sun Ha Boo  2 , Sonya Youngju Park  2 , Seok Whan Moon  3 , Ie Ryung Yoo  4
Affiliations

Prognostic value of TLR from FDG PET/CT in patients with margin-negative stage IB and IIA non-small cell lung cancer

Hye Lim Park et al. Eur Radiol. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value of TLR from PET/CT in patients with resection margin-negative stage IB and IIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and compare high-risk factors necessitating adjuvant treatment (AT).

Methods: Consecutive FDG PET/CT scans performed for the initial staging of NSCLC stage IB and IIA were retrospectively reviewed. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary tumor and mean SUV of the liver were acquired. The tumor-to-liver SUV ratio (TLR) was also calculated. Charts were reviewed for basic patient characteristics and high-risk factors for considering AT (poor differentiation, visceral pleura invasion, vascular invasion, tumors > 4 cm, and wedge resection). Statistical analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results: Of the 112 patients included, 15 (13.4%) died, with a median overall survival (OS) of 43.8 months. Twenty-two patients (19.6%) exhibited recurrence, with median disease-free survival (DFS) of 36.0 months. In univariable analysis, pathology, poor differentiation, and TLR were associated with shorter DFS and OS. In multivariable analysis, TLR (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.263, p = 0.008) and differentiation (HR = 3.087, p = 0.012) were associated with shorter DFS. Also, TLR (HR = 1.422, p < 0.001) was associated with shorter OS.

Conclusion: TLR from FDG PET/CT was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence and survival. PET parameters constitute risk factors for consideration in the decision-making for AT in margin-negative stage IB and IIA NSCLC.

Clinical relevance statement: In this study, TLR from FDG PET/CT was an independent prognostic factor in stage IB-IIA non-small cell cancer patients. Although additional validation studies are warranted, TLR has the potential to be used to determine the need for adjuvant therapy.

Key points: • High TLR is an independent poor prognostic factor in stage IB-IIA NSCLC. • Adjuvant treatment should be considered in patients with high TLR following complete tumor resection.

Keywords: Adjuvant treatment; Carcinoma, non-small cell lung; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prognosis; Stage IB-IIA.

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