Clinical impact of, and prognostic stratification by, F-18 FDG PET/CT in head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma.
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.
Connell
Caroline A
CA
Division of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Australia. carolineconnell@yahoo.com.au
Corry
June
J
Milner
Alvin D
AD
Hogg
Annette
A
Hicks
Rodney J
RJ
Rischin
Danny
D
Peters
Lester J
LJ
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
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18