Objective: We tested the hypothesis that histogram analysis parameters of standardized uptake values (SUVs) obtained preoperatively using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) are significantly influenced by differences in metabolic capacity due to the histologic grade of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Study design: The study included 62 patients who were clinically diagnosed with OSCC and received surgical treatment after an 18F-FDG PET examination. Histogram analysis was performed using all voxels contained in the tumor area of each patient with an SUV ≥2.5. The histogram parameters calculated were the mean and standard deviation of SUVs, maximum SUV, metabolic tumor volume, skewness, and kurtosis. Statistical analyses were performed using a Mann-Whitney U test to calculate the significance of differences in these parameters between groups with well- and moderately- or poorly-differentiated tumors. Statistical significance was assumed at P < .05.
Results: Only a comparison of kurtosis in the histogram showed a significant difference between the well- and moderately/poorly-differentiated tumors (P = .0294).
Conclusions: The distribution of metabolic capacity in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues revealed on an 18F-FDG PET examination may help identify the histologic grade. This finding may provide valuable information for determining the subsequent treatment plan and predicting disease prognosis.
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