Table 3 Univariate and multivariate analyses of survival (Cox’s proportional hazards regression models)

 Age ( ≥65/<65)

0.0242^a

4.1216 (1.1369-14.9423)

0.0311^a

 Gender (male/female)

0.9989

 Location (middle, lower/upper)

0.1605

 Differentiation (not poorly/poorly)

0.6711

 cT (T3-4/T1-2)

0.9991

 cN (N2-3/N1)

0.7055

 cM (M1 (lymph node)/M0)

0.4804

 pT (T3-4/T1-2)

0.2130

 pN (N2-3/N1)

0.0965

 SUV_max reduction rate in the primary lesion (<60%/≥60%)

0.0007^a

8.3800 (2.3893–29.3915)

0.0009^a

 Age ( ≥65/<65)

0.0246^a

5.2678 (1.2729–21.8008)

0.0219^a

 Gender (male/female)

0.9990

 Location (middle, lower/upper)

0.2356

 Differentiation (not poorly/poorly)

0.9992

 cT (T3-4/T1-2)

0.9992

 cN (N2-3/N1)

0.3436

 cM (M1 (lymph node)/M0)

0.3277

 pT (T3-4/T1-2)

0.4104

 pN (N2-3/N1)

0.0969

 SUV_max reduction rate in the primary lesion (<60%/≥60%)

0.0034^a

7.6048 (1.9819–29.1798)

0.0031^a

 Age (≥65/<65)

0.1947

 Gender (male/female)

0.2876

 Location (middle, lower/upper)

0.0759

 Differentiation (not poorly/poorly)

0.2910

 cT (T3-4/T1-2)

0.9203

 cN (N2-3/N1)

0.4032

 cM (M1 (lymph node)/M0)

0.7506

 pT (T3-4/T1-2)

0.0312^a

0.1008

 pN (N2-3/N1)

0.0330^a

0.6019

 SUV_max reduction rate in the primary lesion (<60%/≥60%)

0.0006^a

0.0120^a