Primary tumor standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured on F-FDG PET/CT and mixed NSCLC components predict survival in surgical-resected combined small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE

The combined small-cell lung cancer (c-SCLC) is rare and has unique clinicopathological futures. The aim of this study is to investigate F-FDG PET/CT parameters and clinicopathological factors that influence the prognosis of c-SCLC.

METHODS

Between November 2005 and October 2014, surgical-resected tumor samples from c-SCLC patients who received preoperative F-FDG PET/CT examination were retrospectively reviewed. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were used to evaluate metabolic parameters in primary tumors. The survivals were evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate potential prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were enrolled, with a median age of 62 (range: 35 - 79) years. The most common mixed component was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, n = 12), followed by large-cell carcinoma (LCC, n = 7), adenocarcinoma (AC, n = 6), spindle cell carcinoma (n = 4), adenosquamous carcinoma (n = 1) and atypical carcinoid (n = 1). The median follow-up period was 53.0 (11.0-142.0) months; the 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) rate were 48.4% and 35.5%, respectively. Univariate survival analysis showed that gender, smoking history, tumor location were associated with PFS (P = 0.036, P = 0.043, P = 0.048), SUVmax and TNM stage were closely related to PFS in both Mixed SCC and non-SCC component groups (P = 0.007, P = 0.048). SUV, smoking history, tumor size and mixed SCC component were influencing factors of OS in patients (P = 0.040, P = 0.041, P = 0.046, P = 0.029). Multivariate survival analysis confirmed that TNM stage (HR = 2.885, 95%CI: 1.323-6.289, P = 0.008) was the most significantly influential factor for PFS. High SUV value (HR = 9.338, 95%CI: 2.426-35.938, P = 0.001) and mixed SCC component (HR = 0.155, 95%CI: 0.045-0.530, P = 0.003) were poor predictors for OS.

CONCLUSION

Surgical-resected c-SCLCs have a relatively good prognosis. TNM stage is the most significant factor influencing disease progression in surgical-resected c-SCLCs. SUVmax and mixed NSCLC components within c-SCLCs had a considerable influence on the survival. Both high SUVmax and mixed SCC component are poor predictors for patients with c-SCLCs.