The feasibility of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for predicting pathologic risk status in early-stage uterine cervical squamous cancer

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pathologic risk factors (PRFs) could increase the recurrence rate in early-stage uterine cervical squamous cancer (ECSC). Our study intended to explore the efficiency of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for assessing the pathologic risk status (PRS) in ECSC patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed in 240 ECSC patients with stage IA2-IIA2 (FIGO 2009), who underwent preoperative PET/CT scans and subsequent radical surgery between January 2010 and July 2015. Intermediate-risk (tumour diameter ≥ 4 cm, stromal invasion depth ≥ 1/2, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI)), and high-risk factors (parametria involvement, positive surgery margin, pelvic lymph node metastasis) were confirmed by postoperative pathology. Patients with none of these PRFs were at a low risk for relapse. One of these PRFs was defined as positive risk. The relationship between each PRF and (18)F-FDG uptake was analysed by t-test. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the efficiency of PET/CT parameters for assessing the PRS. The area under the curve (AUC) was used as an indicator for predictive efficiency. RESULTS: Patients with higher SUVmax (p < 0.001), MTV (p < 0.001) and TLG (p < 0.001) had larger tumour sizes and deeper stromal invasion. Further multivariate analyses showed SUVmax and TLG were independent predictors for positive- and intermediate-risk status. In high-risk group, MTV and TLG were associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis and parametria involvement. However, only MTV was a significant indicator. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative (18)F-FDG PET/CT had an independent predictive value for PRS in ECSC.