title: Imaging for head and neck cancer.
abstract: Imaging is an essential tool in the management of head and neck cancer. Oral, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal lesions are initially imaged with computed tomography (CT) because it allows rapid image acquisition and reduces artifacts related to respiration and swallowing, which can degrade image quality and limit evaluation. Sinonasal, nasopharyngeal, and salivary gland tumors are better approached with MRI because it allows for better delineation of tumor extent. PET/CT is usually reserved for advanced disease to evaluate for distant metastatic disease and posttreatment residual and recurrent disease. Imaging is best used in combination with expert clinical and physical examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. Electronic address: jesty.abraham@fccc.edu.
authors.forename: Jesty
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abraham
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Anatomy; Head and neck; Imaging; Neoplasm