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The diagnostic value of positron emission tomography (PET) with radiolabelled fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in head and neck cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

N. J. Slevin*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
C. D. Collins
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
D. L. Hastings
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Physics, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
M. L. Waller
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Physics, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
R. J. Johnson
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
R. A. Cowan
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
A. R. Birzgalis
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
W. T. Farrington
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
R. Swindell
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Statistics, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Dr N. J. Slevin, F.R.C.R., F.R.C.R., Department of Clinical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX.

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning has recently been introduced into clinical practice but its usefulness in the management of head and neck cancer is not well defined. The aim of this prospective preliminary study was to examine the clinical value of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) – PET in patients with head and neck cancer treated by radiotherapy with surgery in reserve by (i) relating quantitative uptake of isotope to tumour type and histological grade and (ii) comparing the imaging findings of PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in post-radiotherapy assessment of tumour response. Twenty-one patients had pre-treatment PET and MRI scans and these were repeated four and eight months after treatment if there was no clinical relapse. Pre-treatment uptake of FDG using tumour to cerebellar ratio parameters was significantly related to the histological grade of squamous cancer (p = 0.04) but not to tumour type. Discordance of post-treatment PET/MRI findings in one case indicates a possible role for PET in the early detection of tumour recurrence. Other potential uses of PET scanning in the management of head and neck cancer are discussed.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

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