Objective: FDG-PET has been shown useful in the staging of malignant lymphoma (ML) and in evaluating treatment outcomes. Serum concentration of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) has also been shown prognostic in patients with MLs. This study analyzed the clinical possibility of baseline FDG-PET parameters, such as maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and serum sIL-2R and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations, as prognostic variables in patients with oral and neck non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Baseline FDG-PET parameters and serum protein concentrations were correlated with 2-year prognosis in 12 patients with oral and neck NHL. The optimal cutoff values for FDG SUVmax, serum sIL-2R and LDH were determined by receiver operating characteristics analyses. Results: At 2-year follow up, seven patients remained alive (good prognosis), and five had died (poor prognosis). The median FDG SUVmax was significantly higher in the poor than in the good prognosis groups (P = 0.04), but serum sIL-2R concentrations did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.09). Baseline MTV and TLG were significantly higher in patients with poor than with good prognosis (P = 0.02 each). Serum LDH levels was significantly higher in patients with poor than with good prognosis (P = 0.01). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed significant correlations between FDG SUVmax and patient prognosis (P = 0.04, odds ratio, 23.4). Conclusion: Comprehensive evaluation of baseline FDG SUVmax may have possibility for predicting the prognosis of patients with oral and neck NHLs.