Primary vs nodal site PET/CT response as a prognostic marker in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy. Issue 9 (11th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: 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
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 42:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: 2405
• Page End: 2413
• Publication Date: 2020-05-11
• Subjects: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) -- positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) -- human papilloma virus (HPV) -- head and neck cancers (HNC) -- PET/CT response assessment -- intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT); Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.26242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: 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.