266 PET-FDG uptake as a prognostic indicator in gliomas

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) provides quantitative and qualitative data on cerebral glucose consumption and is used in the evaluation of intracranial neoplasms. We have examined the value of PET-FDG uptake on glial tumor prognosis. Material and Methods PET scans of 31 patients with Grade 2–4 gliomas were evaluated prospectively on a semiquantitative scale from 0–4 according to avidity of 18-FDG uptake. Mean age of the patient group was 40.4 years, mean follow-up period was 42 months. Actuarial progression free survival was calculated as correlative endpoint. Results High FDG-uptake scores correlated with a worse prognosis (42% vs. 22% actuarial 5 year progression free survival, P P Conclusion Avidity of FDG uptake in our patient group provided additional and complementary information to conventional factors such as age and grade with regard to prognosis.