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Primary vs nodal site PET / CT response as a prognostic marker in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy
Author(s) -
Eckstein Jacob Matthew,
Nolan Nicole,
Healy Erin,
Wright Chadwick Lewis,
Jain Angita,
Barney Christian Louis,
Washington Iman,
McElroy Joseph Paul,
Grecula John Christopher,
Wobb Jessica Lynn,
Mitchell Darrion Luther,
Miller Eric,
Gamez Mauricio,
Blakaj Dukagjin,
Diavolitsis Virginia,
Bhatt Aashish
Publication year - 2020
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.26242
Subject(s) - medicine , nodal , positron emission tomography , radiation therapy , lymph node , stage (stratigraphy) , nuclear medicine , basal cell , oncology , primary tumor , pet ct , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , complete response , carcinoma , radiology , chemotherapy , cancer , head and neck cancer , metastasis , paleontology , biology
Background Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in staging of advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and at 3 months posttreatment (PETpost) is often utilized to assess response. The significance of lymph node vs primary site treatment response is incompletely understood. Methods We reviewed 230 patients treated with radiation therapy. PETpost response was graded at primary and nodal sites and correlated with survival. Results Median age was 58, and 83% were p16‐positive. Median follow‐up was 24.3 months. Nodal response at PETpost predicted improved 2‐year local recurrence‐free survival (LRFS) (93% vs 72%, P =.004), 2‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) (80% vs 61.3%, P =.021), and 2‐year overall survival (OS) (89% vs 83%, P =.051), while primary response only predicted improved 2‐year LRFS (91% vs 76% P = .035). Conclusion In OPSCC patients, both nodal and primary response at 3 months on PET/CT predicted for improved LRFS, but only nodal response predicted DFS and OS.