FDG‐PET‐CT / MRI in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Impact on pretherapeutic N classification, detection of distant metastases, and second primary tumors

Background To assess the effect of 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) in the pretherapeutic staging of N classification, detection rate of distant metastases, and second primaries. Methods Retrospective study on patients with head and neck carcinoma. We compared pretherapeutic N classification by ultrasound, computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and FDG‐PET‐CT/MRI. Results A change in the N classification due to FDG‐PET‐CT/MRI was observed in 116 patients (39.5%) compared to N classification by ultrasound and fine‐needle aspiration cytology. Patients with advanced nodal classification (>N2a) were more likely to be reclassified. Distant metastases were detected in 19 patients and a total of 36 second primaries were diagnosed by FDG‐PET‐CT/MRI. Detection of distant metastases was more likely in regional advanced disease (>N2a). Smokers (>10 py) had a significantly higher risk of second primary. Conclusion FDG‐PET‐CT/MRI leads to a significant change in pretherapeutic N classification. The cumulative incidence of distant metastases and second primaries was 18.7%.