title: Role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in head and neck cancer.
abstract: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. The technique can aid in the detection of an unknown primary tumor, assist in locoregional staging, evaluate for distant metastases or second primary tumors, and be a component of restaging and tumor surveillance. This article reviews the basic principles, pitfalls, and uses of PET/CT in head and neck cancer, as well as potential future applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, Room HX-319A, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA. Electronic address: edward.escott@uky.edu.
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Escott
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
keywords: FDG; Head and neck cancer; PET/CT; Prognosis; Staging