Standardised uptake value of 18F-FDG on staging PET/CT in newly diagnosed patients with different subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Objectives: Positron emission tomography using 2-[fluorine-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18F-FDG) is considered to be the most beneficial imaging method for staging patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The intensity of 18F-FDG accumulation may be determined by calculating the so-called standardised uptake value (SUV). The study aimed at assessing the benefit of SUV(max) determination in staging 18F-FDG PET/CT in untreated patients with NHL. Methods: One hundred and forty-nine initial staging 18F-FDG PET/CT scans performed in patients with NHL between January 2007 and August 2009 were assessed, and the SUV(max) was determined. Results: The highest mean and median values of SUV(max) were observed in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the lowest mean and median values were found in small lymphocytic lymphoma. The overlap in SUV(max) < 10 between DLBCL and the other subgroups of NHL was very significant. Statistically, no correlation was found between the lactate dehydrogenase and SUV(max) values. On the other hand, a correlation of the Ki-67 proliferative index of tumour cells and SUV(max) was revealed (r = 0.409, P < 0.001). The geometric mean of SUV(max) in patients with Ki-67 < 60 and those with Ki-67 > 60 was 8.8 and 14.3, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results confirm that SUV(max) is not beneficial for making a more precise diagnosis in most patients with NHL. Correlation of SUV(max) with the Ki-67 values suggests that SUV(max) might have a prognostic values in NHL.