Figure 3

Kaplan–Meier curves of DRFS and OS by tertiles of the maximum standardized uptake value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose. The middle and high tertile categories were combined into one high-risk group because their outcome was significantly different from the low tertile. (a) The middle and high tertiles of SUV were prognostic for DRFS (hazard ratio 2.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.62–5.30; P < 0.001). The 8-year DRFS rates were 90.7% (95% CI 85.5–96.1%) for those in the low tertile of maximum SUV vs. 73.7% (95% CI 68.0–79.8%) for those in the middle and high tertiles of maximum SUV. (b) The middle and high tertiles of SUV were prognostic for OS (hazard ratio 4.87, 95% CI 1.94–12.26; P < 0.001). The 8-year OS rates were 96.4% (95% CI 92.6–100%) for those in the low tertile of maximum SUV vs. 81.3% (95% CI 76.0–87.0%) for those in the middle and high tertiles of maximum SUV. DRFS distant relapse-free survival, OS overall survival, SUV standardized uptake value, Ter1 low tertile, Ter2–3 middle and high tertiles.