Uptake of 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose in Major Salivary Gland Cancer Predicts Survival Adjusting for Pathological Stage.

AIM: To investigate whether 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake is associated with overall survival in patients with major salivary gland cancer using univariate and multivariate analyses after adjusting for pathological stage (eighth edition of the International Union Against Cancer).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 32 patients with major salivary gland cancer treated with curative surgery were enrolled. Parameters for 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake were assessed by positron-emission tomography combined with computed tomography.

RESULTS: Using univariate and multivariate analyses after adjusting for pathological stage, a maximum standardized uptake value ≥26, peak standardized uptake value ≥20.3, metabolic tumor volume ≥9.7, and total lesion glycolysis ≥263 were significantly correlated with shorter overall survival.

CONCLUSION: Parameters of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in major salivary gland cancer are predictive of overall survival after adjusting for the pathological stage.