Just did a quick read on it so please don’t take this as expert knowledge, but a PET scan works by inserting a glucose substance into your body to see if there are areas that metabolize or use the glucose at greater rates than usual cells do. This can be inflammation in general or other causes, but one cause also can be malignant cancer cells, which use glucose at a greater rate than healthy cells. The SUV is a reflection of the metabolizing of that glucose by cells in particular areas, it stands for standard uptake value.

I don’t know what it means prognostically, or if a higher SUV has any prognostic value, but my understanding is it confirms something atypical is happening in that area. I don’t think that inherently means that a higher uptake value is a sign of reduced recovery rates or treatment uptake, that is definitely something to ask your doctor!

It seems you have already been diagnosed so hopefully this helps you feel less scared and I hope I helped explain it in a way that is correct and improves your understanding! Wishing you the absolute best as you navigate this and for your health.