Standardized Uptake Value on F-FDG PET/CT as a Prognostic Factor for Survival of Women with Malignant Uterine Tumors: A Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Malignant uterine tumors are crucial in the evaluation of prognosis and the determination of therapeutic strategy. AIM: This meta-analysis of the available literature aimed to investigate the prognostic value of standardized uptake value (SUV) on fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in uterine malignancies before treatment. METHODS: The PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (1990 to February 2014) were searched to identify studies evaluating SUV on 18F-FDG PET/CT as a prognostic tool for predicting long-term survival in patients with carcinomas of the uterus. The χ2 test and the I2 index were used to estimate heterogeneity among the trials selected in the meta-analysis. The combined hazard ratio was calculated by using a fixed- or random-effects model according to heterogeneity. RESULTS: Thirteen studies with a total of 1,196 patients were eligible for analysis. High pretreatment SUVmax was significantly associated with poorer event-free survival and overall survival, and the summarized hazard ratio was 3.33 (95% confidence interval 2.34-4.74) and 1.31 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.67), respectively. CONCLUSION: The present evidence indicates that SUV on 18F-FDG PET/CT seems to be a valuable prognostic indicator for survival of patients with malignant uterine tumors. Given that 18F-FDG PET/CT can provide both morphologic and functional information, we suggest utilizing PET/CT and its quantitative marker in uterine malignancies before treatment. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.