Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography imaging of head and neck squamous cell cancer

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2010 Apr;31(4):598-604. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1760. Epub 2009 Nov 12.

Abstract

The hybrid technique of PET/CT has significantly impacted the imaging and management of HNSCC since its introduction in 2001 and has become the technique of choice for imaging of this cancer. Diagnostic FDG-PET/CT is useful for identification of an unknown primary tumor, delineation of extent of primary tumor, detection of regional lymph node involvement even in a normal-sized node, detection of distant metastases and occasional synchronous primary tumor, assessment of therapy response, and long-term surveillance for recurrence and metastases. The role of PET/CT is evolving in radiation therapy planning. Combined diagnostic PET/CT provides the best anatomic and metabolic in vivo information for the comprehensive management of HNSCC.

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasm, Residual / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm, Residual / pathology
  • Neoplasm, Residual / therapy
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / therapy
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / diagnostic imaging
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / secondary
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Tumor Burden
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18