Positron emission tomography (PET) in the management of oro-pharyngeal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the specific role of FDG-PET in the management of head and neck cancer patients.


METHODS
In a retrospective study, 112 patients with head and neck cancer treated over a 5-year period had FDG-PET scans. The image of the tumour (local, regional and distant) was compared to, clinical, CT/MRI examination, pathological findings and the clinical course of the disease.


RESULTS
FDG-PET correctly identified 95.3% of primary lesions, and 94.1% of the recurrences at the primary site. FDG-PET data was supportive of intended treatment in 31 cases and sufficient to alter the management of seven patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall FDG-PET has a useful role in the diagnosis of head and neck cancers, and in the demonstration of occult or hidden tumours, distant and metastatic disease.
Jones
J
J
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Floor 23, Guy's Tower, London Bridge, London SE1 9RT, UK. judith.3.jones@kcl.ac.uk
Farag
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I
Hain
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McGurk
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18