Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the various levels of FDG uptake for patient with malignant liver tumor. Methods: FDG PET were performed for 28 patients with malignant liver tumor. Region of interest(ROI) was placed over the tumor regions and the standardized uptake value(SUV) was calculated. Then the tumors were divided into the following two types: FDG uptake increased(type A) was seen in 20 patients, including 19 HCC and one liver metastasis of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumour. FDG uptake similar to the surrounding nontumor liver tissue(type B) was seen in 8 patients, including 6 HCC and one liver metastasis of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumour and one liver metastasis of HCC. Result: After following up to 18~84 months, the cumulative survival rate was found to be singnificant higher in group B than in group A(44.8±19.7 months vs 20.2±16.8 months.)(P<0.05). The survival time was significant different between patient of liver metastasis from gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor according to the uptake degrees. Conclusions: HCC is heterogenous in terms of its glucose metabolism. The degree of FDG uptake is useful to predict the outcome of malignant liver tumors.
2007, Vol. 18 
