18FDG PET/CT in the initial staging of hepatocellular carcinoma: Prognostic value of FDG avid lesions

1298 Objectives To assess the prognostic value of PET/CT findings in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Retrospective observational analysis of HCC patients, who have had PET/CT and have met the following inclusion criteria: Performed PET/CT with MRI or triphasic enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis within a maximum of one month apart. No prior HCC treatments. No history of other malignancies. FDG avid lesions higher than liver parenchyma uptake were considered positive. Results 35 patients have met our inclusion criteria (23 male, 12 female, mean age of 56 years, mean follow-up of 18 months). 13/35 patients (37%) had FDG avid lesions of whom four patients (4/13; 30%) had metastatic disease (2 retroperitoneum, one mediastinal and one bone). None of FDG negative patients had metastases. The median survival time for patients with FDG avid lesions was 10 months compared with 19 months in patients with non-avid lesions. The median survival time for patients with metastases was 12 months compared with 25 months in patients without metastasis. No correlations were found between FDG avidity, AFP, tumor size and pathological grading. Conclusions FDG PET/CT might have a prognostic value in HCC patients that could help in individualizing patients’ management. Larger cohort of patients is needed to further evaluate our hypothesis