Standardized uptake value (SUV) by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) as a prognostic variable in metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

3 Background: The accurate prediction of outcome from MBC could be useful if it could guide more effective therapies. Because PET/CT combines anatomical with functional imaging it could enable greater individualization of treatment. However, there is substantial SUV variation by anatomic site. In this retrospective, single-institution study, we examine baseline SUV on PET/CT as a predictor of outcome from MBC. Methods: Patients (Pts) with ≥1 metastatic lesion on PET/CT performed ≤60 days of diagnosis of MBC from 01/01/2001-12/31/2008 were identified through institutional databases. Pts who rcvd chemotherapy within 30 days prior to PET/CT were excluded. Electronic medical record reports were reviewed and maximum SUV (SUV-MAX) by site for lesions in bone, liver, lung and lymph node (LN) was recorded. In a secondary analysis, PET/CT scans were reviewed and SUV-MAX recalculated. Relationships between SUV-MAX and OS were assessed using Cox regression by site. Results: We identified 285 pts, median (med) age 57...