Potential role of hybrid positron emission tomography in pre-operative assessment of primary salivary gland carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE

The added value of hybrid positron emission tomography is increasingly recognised in head and neck cancer. However, its potential role in salivary gland carcinomas has been scarcely investigated.

METHODS

A consecutive cohort of 45 salivary gland carcinoma patients who underwent pre-therapeutic hybrid positron emission tomography and surgical resection was reviewed. This study investigated whether maximum standardised uptake value correlated with tumour phenotype.

RESULTS

Tumours of high-grade disease on histology (salivary duct carcinoma, carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma) had higher maximum standardised uptake value (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.011) than low-grade tumours (adenoid cystic carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma). Patients with pathologically confirmed node-positive disease had significantly higher maximum standardised uptake value of the primary tumour than patients with pathologically confirmed node-negative disease (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Maximum standardised uptake value of the primary tumour may guide clinical decision-making in patients with salivary gland carcinomas, as a high maximum standardised uptake value is associated with high-grade tumour histology and the presence of lymph node metastases. Clinicians may consider more aggressive surgery for these patients.