[Clinical value of changes of SUVmax in series (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging before and after chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of changes of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in series (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging before and after chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: From July 2008 to July 2014, a total of 18 patients with pathological confirmed advanced NSCLC who received systemic chemotherapy were enrolled.(18)F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed before, 3-4 weeks after 2-4 cycles chemotherapy, 3-4 weeks after the end of chemotherapy for all patients, and added fourth scan for 3 patients 1 year later.The SUVmax of region of interesting was calculated.The histological diagnosis or clinical findings in a 36 months follow-up period served as the standard of control. Results: New metastases foci were found by (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans before chemotherapy in 7 of 18 patients.The plans of chemotherapy for 5 patients were changed as therapeutic responses were evaluated according to changes of SUVmax.Targeted therapy was added for 2 patients after the end of chemotherapy.There was a statistically significant difference in outcome of survival analysis between patients performed PET/CT scans and non-performed (P<0.05). Conclusion: Changes of SUVmax in series (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging before and after chemotherapy could be used to evaluate therapeutic response and effectively predict survival in patients with advanced NSCLC.