title: An exploratory study into the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI metrics as predictors of response in head and neck cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) in prediction of the response to treatment in patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with advanced HNC, suitable for concurrent chemoradiotherapy underwent DCE MRI, for the quantification of blood flow (BF) and volume (BV). All the patients received radical doses of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy up to a dose of 70 Gy along with concurrent weekly cisplatin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The values of BV and BF were higher in complete responders as compared to partial responders at primary as well as nodes. Both BF and BV were found to be significantly higher in patients with high T-stage as compared to patients with lower T-stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DCE metrics can be used as a predictor of response to treatment in locally advanced HNCs after validation of these observations in a larger number of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India. sushmaagrawal@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Awasthi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haris
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: R K S
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Rathore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D002945:Cisplatin