The utility of SUV max as an adaptation criterion for limited resection in stage IA non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Although the consolidation diameter of a tumor on computed tomography (CT) is an adaptation criterion for limited resection in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), whether the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) is also an adaptation criterion for limited resection has not been evaluated. Methods In total, 478 NSCLC patients with clinical stage IA disease were analyzed, among whom 383 were used to perform a sub-analysis. Results Multivariate analysis showed that consolidation diameter (odds ratio [OR]: 3.05, p = 0.01), SUVmax (OR: 10.74, p = 0.02), and lymphatic invasion (OR: 10.34, p < 0.01) were risk factors for lymph node metastasis in clinical stage IA NSCLC patients. Furthermore, age (OR: 2.98, p = 0.03), SUVmax (OR: 13.07, p = 0.02), and lymphatic invasion (OR: 5.88, p = 0.02) were risk factors for lymph node metastasis in clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma patients according to multivariate analysis. Conclusions Consolidation diameter of a tumor on CT, SUVmax, and lymphatic invasion are risk factors for lymph node metastasis. These results suggest that for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma patients, SUVmax is more important for deciding the indication of limited resection.