Head Neck 1998 May;20(3):208-15
PET scanning in head and neck oncology: a review.
McGuirt WF, Greven K, Williams D 3rd, Keyes JW Jr, Watson N, Cappellari JO,
Geisinger KR.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to review and describe the usage of
fluorine-labeled deoxyglucose (FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET) in
the diagnosis and management of head and neck cancer. METHODS: Several
prospective series,-including 159 newly diagnosed and previously untreated and
23 previously irradiated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients
initially seen at the Wake Forest University Medical Center and evaluated by
clinical examination, conventional computed tomography/ magnetic resonance
imaging (CT/MRI) scans, PET scans, and histopathologic studies,-were reviewed
and the findings summarized for comparison of the correct differentiation of
primary and metastatic cancers and for postirradiation tumor clearance in a
subsegment of those cases. RESULTS: Positron emission tomography scanning using
a fluorine-labeled deoxyglucose (FDG) radiotracer proved as reliable as
conventional scanning for primary and metastatic tumor identification. Compared
with clinical examination, PET was better for identification of nodal metastatic
tumors but poorer for small primary tumors. For previously irradiated patients
treated at least 4 months before the test, PET scanning was clearly superior to
clinical examination and conventional imaging in differentiating tumor
recurrence from soft-tissue irradiation effects. CONCLUSIONS: Fluorine-labeled
deoxyglucose-PET scanning is comparable to conventional imaging of head and neck
cancers in detecting primary and metastatic carcinoma. Lack of anatomic detail
remains its major drawback. Currently, its greatest role is in the evaluation of
the postradiotherapy patient.
Publication Types:
- Review
