Prognostic significance of metabolic lymph node status on FDG PET/CT in operable stage III non-small cell lung cancer

1475 Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate prognostic significance of metabolic lymph node (LN) status on FDG PET/CT in operable stage-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 89 stage-III NSCLC patients with pathologically confirmed LN metastasis, who underwent FDG PET/CT for initial staging and curative surgery, were retrospectively enrolled. Metabolism of a LN was determined negative (uptake lower than the mediastinum), positive but mild (maximum SUV Results The median follow-up period was 28 months (range, 2.5-45 months); RFS and OS rates were 50.6% and 80.3%. Sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET for LN metastasis were 43.0% and 90.9%. In univariate analyses regarding RFS, age, CT-based N-stage (N0/N1 vs. N2) and MSLN were significant prognostic factors. In multivariate analyses including these factors and pathologic T-stage (T1/T2 vs. T3/T4), MSLN (P Conclusions Despite limited performance of FDG PET in diagnosing LN metastasis, MSLN on FDG PET is a significant prognostic factor in operable stage-III NSCLC. Low MSLN is an independent favorable prognostic factor even in presence of LN metastasis.