PET/CT as a Prognostic Factor for Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is known to be an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. Prognostic factors are essential for the prediction of treatment outcomes and survival. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of ۱۸F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (۱۸FFDG- PET/CT) in patients with SCLC.Method: In this retrospective study, the medical records of ۴۱ patients with SCLC were reviewed; these patients underwent pretreatment FDG-PET/CT and presented to our institution from January ۲۰۱۲ to December ۲۰۱۷. PET/CT parameters, clinical factors, treatment, and follow-up data were collected and correlated to the overall survival (OS).Results: The median age of the patients was ۶۱ years, only five of whom (۱۲.۲%) were female. Additionally, ۲۹ patients (۷۰.۷%) were smokers, ۹ (۲۲%) were ex-smokers, and ۳ (۷.۳%) were non-smokers. Among our subjects, ۱۳ (۳۱.۷%) had limited stage disease, while ۲۸ (۶۸.۳%) presented with extensive stage disease. The median pretreatment maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for the primary tumor was ۱۴.۵۴. The median OS was ۱۸.۱ months. Based on univariate analysis, SUVmax, stage, age, and sex were significantly associated with OS. However, smoking status, tumor side, and lobe location had no significant impact on OS. Furthermore, according to multivariate analysis, SUVmax, stage, and age were independent prognostic factors for OS.Conclusion: SUVmax, age, and tumor stage were found to be significant prognostic factors for OS in patients with SCLC.