title: Role of positron emission tomography (PET) in head and neck cancer.
abstract: F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is now part of the initial stage III and IV cancer work-up and each time that metastasis or the presence of a second cancer is suspected that may contraindicate major surgery. Similarly, this exam should be undertaken when the conventional work-up is negative but there is isolated metastatic adenopathy. In therapeutic follow-up, a 3- or 4-month delay must be respected to prevent false-positive exams caused by inflammation. Although FDG-PET seems very promising in determining target volumes in radiotherapy, its implementation raises a number of problems that can only be resolved through the collaboration of all of the different specialists.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Department, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris-VII University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duet
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hugonnet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faraggi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18