Association between [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and prognostic parameters in breast cancer

Background: This study analysed the correlation between [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake assessed by positron emission tomography (PET) in breast tumours, and histopathological and inmunohistochemical prognostic factors. Methods: FDG-PET was performed before surgery in 275 women with primary breast cancer. The standarized uptake value (SUV) was compared with histopathological findings after surgery. Results: A positive relationship was found between the SUV and tumour size (r = 0.46, P < 0.001), axillary lymph node status (P < 0.001), histological type (P < 0.001), histological grade (P < 0.001), oestrogen receptor status (P < 0.001), p53 (P < 0.001) and Ki-67 (P < 0.001) expression. Multivariable linear regression showed that tumour size, histological grade, Ki-67 expression, oestrogen receptor status and histological type were significantly related to the SUV. Conclusion: The SUV is a preoperative and non-invasive metabolic factor that relates to some prognostic factors in breast cancer.