Amygdalar activity measured using FDG-PET/CT at head and neck cancer staging independently predicts survival.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

The mechanisms underlying the association between chronic stress and higher mortality among individuals with cancer remain incompletely understood.

Objective

To test the hypotheses that among individuals with active head and neck cancer, that higher stress-associated neural activity (ie. metabolic amygdalar activity [AmygA]) at cancer staging associates with survival.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Academic Medical Center (Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston).

Participants

240 patients with head and neck cancer (HNCA) who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging as part of initial cancer staging.

Measurements

18F-FDG uptake in the amygdala was determined by placing circular regions of interest in the right and left amygdalae and

SUBMITTER: Hassan MZO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10403142 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature