Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: This study analyzed the parameters provided by preoperative (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for prognostic prediction of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: FDG-PET/CT data from 66 clear cell RCC and 19 non-clear cell RCC cases between January 2015 and October 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. We compared the two groups according to recurrence/metastasis to determine prognosis-influencing factors. Multivariate Cox hazard regression models were constructed to evaluate factors potentially predicting disease-free survival (DFS) after adjustment for confounders. DFS was then compared between groups. RESULTS: Standardized uptake values (SUV) of the PET/CT scan were independent predictors of prognosis after adjusting for confounders. RCC cases were divided into two groups by optimal cut-off values. Differences between DFS percentages in high and low SUV groups were significant. Similar results were obtained in clear cell RCC groups. CONCLUSION: Increased SUV of the PET/CT scan are significant predictors of worse prognoses in patients with surgically resected RCC.