title: A prospective study of positron emission tomography for evaluation of neck node response 6 weeks after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, 6 weeks after radiotherapy (RT), adequately selects patients in whom a neck node dissection can be omitted. Primary endpoints were isolated neck recurrences and overall survival (OS).
  
  
  
  One hundred five patients, mainly with oropharyngeal human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tumors, with a positive PET scan before treatment, were evaluated regarding the neck response 6 weeks post-RT. The PET results determined the management of the neck: observation versus neck dissection.
  
  
  
  Median follow-up was 25 months. Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 56% and 94%, respectively. Four isolated neck recurrences occurred. The 2-year OS rate was 86.3%.
  
  
  
  PET scans performed 6 weeks after RT have a high NPV and can obviate neck dissections but the PPV is insufficient. A later scheduled scan is recommended. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E473-E479, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of ORL-Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sjövall
authors.affiliation: Department of ORL-Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wahlberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Almquist
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kjellén
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: head and neck; neck dissection; positron emission tomography; radiotherapy; squamous cell carcinoma