Comparison of SUV(max) Values Obtained from F-18 FDG PET/CT and Cell-free DNA Levels Measured from Plasma in Oncology Patients

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the quantitative value of standardized uptake value (SUV) SUV(max) obtained from F-18 FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of oncology patients with the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) amounts measured in plasma of patients and thus investigate if cfDNA is a significant marker to identify the presence of malignancy in the early period. METHODS: A total of 184 patients were included in the study. The clinical, histopathologic, laboratory and treatment parameters were extracted from patient files. SUV(max) and cfDNA quantities were assessed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in plasma cfDNA values between patient and control groups. The comparison of SUV(max) and cfDNA values in the study showed that there was a weak correlation between SUV(max) and cfDNA. There was a significant difference between tumor size and SUV(max) values. However, there was no statistically significant difference between tumor size and cfDNA. CONCLUSION: cfDNA measurements in the blood as a screening test have provided hope for early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer patients. Comparison of cfDNA levels obtained from plasma and quantitative parameters from PET/CT images of oncology patients in detailed advanced studies with larger patient series are required.