Effects of metabolic tumor volume and total glycolytic activity on prognosis in oral cavity cancers


Büyük B. B., KILIÇ C., Tunçcan T., Toprak F., Alkan G., Tosun H. E.

Acta Oto-Laryngologica, cilt.146, sa.6, ss.728-733, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 146 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/00016489.2026.2630120
  • Dergi Adı: Acta Oto-Laryngologica
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.728-733
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Metabolic tumor volume, total glycolytic activity, oral cavity, total lesion glycolysis, squamous cell carcinoma
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Reliable prognostic imaging biomarkers are essential for improving risk stratification and treatment planning in patients with oral cavity cancer. Aims/objective: This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of 18 F-FDG PET/CT–derived metabolic parameters, including SUVmax, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total glycolytic activity (TGA), in relation to disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Material and methods: This prospective study included 44 patients with newly diagnosed oral cavity cancer who underwent preoperative 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging. SUVmax, MTV, and TGA values were recorded for the primary tumor. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank tests, and associations between PET-derived metabolic parameters and survival outcomes were evaluated using univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: During follow-up, disease recurrence occurred in 11 patients (25.0%) and 9 patients (20.5%) died. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly shorter DFS in patients with higher TGA (≥16.65) and SUVmax (≥7.40), whereas MTV was not associated with DFS. No metabolic parameter showed a statistically significant association with OS, although higher TGA and SUVmax values demonstrated a trend toward poorer OS. In univariate Cox regression, TGA ≥16.65 was significantly associated with increased risk of recurrence or death (HR 6.31, 95% CI 1.34–29.64; p = 0.020). Conclusion and significance: TGA is a strong prognostic marker for DFS in oral cavity cancer and outperforms SUVmax and MTV in survival analysis.