Objectives: The objective of the current review was to use published data to assess the role of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) as a complementary modality to computed-tomography (CT) in radiotherapy target volume delineation for head and neck cancer (HNC).
Methods: Studies were identified by searching PubMed electronic databases. Both prospective and retrospective studies were included. Information regarding the role of FDG-PET for radiotherapy target volume delineation for HNC was analyzed.
Results: FDG-PET is a promising tool for improving radiotherapy target volume delineation by defining a metabolically active biological target volume (BTV). The use of novel PET tracers representing properties such as hypoxia, protein synthesis and proliferation remain to be better characterized.
Conclusions: The role of FDG-PET for radiotherapy target volume delineation for patients with HNC is expanding and should be further evaluated in clinical trials.
Keywords: FDG-PET; Head and neck cancer; Radiotherapy target volumes.