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Positron Emission Tomography Scan to Determine the Need for Neck Dissection after Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer: Timing is Everything
Author(s) -
Canning Christopher A.,
Gubbels Samuel,
Chinn Crispin,
Wax Mark,
Holland John M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/01.mlg.0000182829.71310.ae
Subject(s) - medicine , neck dissection , head and neck cancer , positron emission tomography , radiology , dissection (medical) , tonsil , stage (stratigraphy) , cancer , radiation therapy , nuclear medicine , surgery , paleontology , biology
We present a case of a negative positron emission tomography (PET) scan in a patient with pathologic viable cancer at neck dissection. Study Design: Case Report. Methods: A 69‐year‐old man presented with clinical stage T2N2c squamous cell cancer of the left tonsil and was treated with definitive chemoradiation. Left‐sided adenopathy decreased but remained palpable after therapy. Results: PET scan performed 23 days after completion of treatment showed no suspicious uptake in the left neck. Neck dissection performed at 2 months post‐therapy revealed viable tumor in left cervical nodes. Conclusions: Persistent adenopathy after chemoradiation for head and neck cancer remains a clinical dilemma. A negative PET scan is accurate but only if the scan is performed 3 to 4 months after therapy.