Premium
Utility of positron emission tomography for the detection of disease in residual neck nodes after (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Porceddu Sandro V.,
Jarmolowski Elizabeth,
Hicks Rodney J.,
Ware Rob,
Weih LeAnn,
Rischin Danny,
Corry June,
Peters Lester J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.20130
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck cancer , positron emission tomography , neck dissection , fluorodeoxyglucose , radiation therapy , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , nuclear medicine , radiology , dissection (medical) , head and neck , cancer , surgery
Background. This study evaluates the utility of fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in patients with a node‐positive mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who achieved a complete response at the primary site but had a residual mass in the neck 8 weeks or more after definitive (chemo)radiotherapy. Methods. Between October 1996 and July 2002, 39 eligible patients were identified. The reference PET scan was performed at a median of 12 weeks (range, 8–32 weeks) after treatment. Results. PET showed no metabolic activity in the residual mass in 32 patients. Five of these patients had a neck dissection and were all pathologically negative. The remaining 27 patients were observed for a median of 34 months (range, 16–86 months), with only one locoregional failure. The negative predictive value of PET for viable disease in a residual anatomic abnormality was 97%. Conclusion. Patients who have achieved a complete response at the primary site but have a residual abnormality in the neck that is PET negative approximately 12 weeks after treatment do not require neck dissection and can be safely observed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: 175–181, 2005