Dataset related to article "Challenging the Significance of SUV-Based Parameters in a Retrospective Study on Lung Lesions"

This record contains data related to article “Challenging the Significance of SUV-Based Parameters in a Retrospective Study on Lung Lesions”.

Background: Maximum and mean standardised uptake values (SUVmax and SUVmean) are the most used biomarker in PET imaging. This study explores their diagnostic and prognostic value in a large cohort of patients affected from lung nodules.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with suspected or confirmed primary lung tumours undergoing [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT within 180 days before surgery. The sample size was 567 patients. Demographics, imaging, surgical, histological, and follow-up data were collected. SUVs were analysed according to histology, stage, scanner, and outcome. The impact on measured values of different reconstruction protocols was assessed. All potential predictors of patients’ outcome were assessed.

Results: 91% cases were primary lung tumours. Lung benign nodules or metastases accounted for 5% and 4% of cases. Most patients presented with adenocarcinoma (70%) and stage I disease (51%); 144 patients relapsed and 55 died. SUVmax and SUVmean failed to effectively differentiate benign lesions from primary tumours or metastases. Stage I patients presented lower SUVs. SUV significantly correlated with patient weight, injected [¹⁸F]FDG activity, and lesion size and differed between clinical and EARL reconstructions. Survival analyses revealed no independent prognostic significance for SUVmax in progression-free after adjusting for other variables. SUVmax correlated with overall survival, disease stage and tumour histotype.

Conclusion: SUV, though widely employed, present relevant limitations in discriminating between benign lesion and lung cancer, in classifying cancer histotypes, and in predicting patient outcomes independently. Known influencing factors significantly impact on numerical values, thus SUVs’ interpretation should be carefully considered outside clinical trials.