Prognostic value of pretherapeutic 18F-FDG PET/CT in cancer of the uterine cervix: A retrospective study of 53 patients

Objectives. - Assessment of prognostic value of pretherapeutic F-18-FDG PET/CT (PET). Patients and methods. - Retrospective study of 53 patients with invasive uterine cervix carcinoma. Each patient has been evaluated with pretherapeutic whole-body FDG PET/CT and pelvic MRI. Minimal follow-up lasted for 1 year. On PET/CT, we have visually analyzed metabolism of primary tumor, pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes in comparison with surrounding structures. We have compared prognostic factors as pretherapeutic haemoglobin rate, FIGO staging, MRI and PET/CT data using Mann-Whitney univariate analysis and Cox multivariate analysis. Results. - Para-aortic lymph node abnormal uptake on PET/CT was the only independent predictor of progression-free survival. Pelvic lymph node involvement on PET/CT was the only independent predictor of overall survival. MRI did not provide any additional information. Discussion and conclusion. - Lymph node involvement visually assessed by F-18-EDG PET/CT was the most significant prognostic factor for overall and progression-free survival. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.