Background: Pancreatic carcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether glucose metabolism in pancreatic cancer has prognostic significance for patients suffering from this disease.
Methods: The survival data of 52 patients with pancreatic carcinoma was correlated with the standardized uptake value (SUV) as a semiquantitative parameter of glucose metabolism, as determined with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET). A multivariate analysis, including SUV and accepted factors of prognosis, such as stage at presentation and tumor marker Ca 19-9, was performed to determine the prognostic value of FDG PET.
Results: The median survival in 26 patients with low SUV (< 6.1) was 9 months (95% confidence interval 6-12 months) vs. 5 months (95% confidence interval 4-6 months) in 26 patients with high SUV (> or = 6.1). Multivariate analysis revealed SUV and tumor marker Ca 19-9 as independent factors of prognosis in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.
Conclusion: Glucose metabolism, as determined with FDG PET, provides additional prognostic information in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.