Methods: A total of 65 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (34 males, 31 females; median age: 60 years; range, 39 to 84 years) who underwent whole-body ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for staging before treatment between March 2008 and January 2018 were included. Relationships between clinicopathological factors and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography parameters and overall survival were evaluated using a log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.

Results: The median follow-up was 13 (range, 4 to 55) months. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a mean survival time of 17±2.6 months. The cumulative two- and five-year survival rates were 34.8% and 7.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that ≥60 age, left hemithorax involvement, a maximum standardized uptake value of ≥9.8, c-T4 status, c-M1 status, and non-surgery were negatively associated with overall survival (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that ≥60 age, left hemithorax involvement, a maximum standardized uptake value of ≥9.8, c-M1 status, and a total lesion glycolysis of ≥180.2 g were negatively associated with overall survival (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Metabolic parameters of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography have the potential to provide prognostic information for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients who are receiving surgery and/or chemotherapy.