J Korean Soc Radiol.  2009 Dec;61(6):379-385. 10.3348/jksr.2009.61.6.379.

Different Degree of FDG Uptake of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in PET-CT: What Dose It Imply?

• Jung MY
• Seon HJ
• Choi S
• Kim YH
• Chong A

• KMID: 1471266
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2009.61.6.379

Abstract

PURPOSE
To examine the degree of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in non small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and its implications according to the cell type, tumor differentiation, size and stage.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From February 2004 to February 2008, 161 patients (117 males, 44 Females) with surgically proven NSCLCs who underwent preoperative FDG positron emission tomography (PET) and curative surgery (stage I-IIIA) were enrolled in this study. The degree of FDG uptake of NSCLCs was evaluated retrospectively by measuring the maximum standard uptake values (max SUVs) in PET-CT according to the cell type, tumor differentiation, size and stage.
RESULTS
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs, n=75) had higher max SUVs than the adenocarcinomas (ADCs, n=86) (p<0.01). Poorer tumor differentiation was related to higher max SUVs in ADCs. There was significant difference between the well and poorly differentiated ADCs (p=0.02). Larger tumors tended to have higher max SUVs (p<0.01) in NSCLCs. There were no significant differences between the max SUVs and stages.
CONCLUSION
SCCs had a higher metabolic rate than ADCs. The higher degree of FDG uptake in ADCs can suggest a poorer tumor grade. Larger tumors have a tendency for higher FDG uptake in NSCLCs.

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
Humans
Lung Neoplasms
Male
Positron-Emission Tomography
Retrospective Studies
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18