Positron emission tomography in surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after definitive chemoradiotherapy.
BACKGROUND
We assessed the role of (18)F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (PET) in detecting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).


METHODS
A prospective study presented 80 PET before and after CRT for 44 patients, including 44 first-time post-CRT scans performed between 12 and 17 weeks after radiotherapy completion, as well as 10 repeated scans in the subsequent follow-up. PET interpretations were compared with clinicopathologic outcomes.


RESULTS
PET demonstrated better performance than CT in post-CRT surveillance. Considering all 54 post-CRT PET scans, sensitivity for detecting primary tumors was 100%, specificity 93%, positive predictive value (PPV) 80%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 100%. For cervical diseases, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 98%, PPV 92%, and NPV 100%. For distant metastases, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 98%, PPV 86%, and NPV 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
Negative PET readings were reliable for predicting free of HNSCC and helpful for selected patients in post-CRT surveillance.
Wang
Yi-Fen
YF
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. yfwangent@gmail.com
Liu
Ren-Shyan
RS
Chu
Pen-Yuan
PY
Chang
Feng-Chi
FC
Tai
Shyh-Kuan
SK
Tsai
Tung-Lung
TL
Huang
Jui-Lin
JL
Chang
Shyue-Yih
SY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18