title: Clinical impact of, and prognostic stratification by, F-18 FDG PET/CT in head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine prospectively the incremental value of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) over conventional assessment (clinical examination and CT/MRI imaging).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients undergoing (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT for primary head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma between January 2002 and December 2003 (inclusive) were included in this study provided they had undergone contemporaneous conventional assessment of the head and neck region and had 12 months minimum follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-six patients underwent 100 PET/CT scans. The majority of patients (74%) were treated with definitive (chemo)radiotherapy. Median follow-up time was 28 months. PET/CT led to a TNM classification alteration in 34% (12/35), a change in radiotherapy planning technique and/or dose in 29% (10/35), and altered treatment response assessment in 43% (13/30). A complete metabolic response was predictive of overall survival (p = .037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support incorporation of PET/CT into the management paradigm of head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Australia. carolineconnell@yahoo.com.au
authors.forename: Caroline A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corry
authors.forename: Alvin D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Milner
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rischin
authors.forename: Lester J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18