The Impact of 18F-FDG PET CT Prior to Chemoradiotherapy for Stage III/IV Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. (24th March 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prestwich, Robin J. D.; Bhatnagar, Priya; Chowdhury, Fahmid U.; Patel, Chirag N.; Dyker, Karen E.; Coyle, Catherine; Şen, Mehmet; Scarsbrook, Andrew F.
• Other Names: Yamamoto Y. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN oncology. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-03-24
• Subjects: Oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms; Oncology; Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.5402/2012/636379
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5661

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction . To determine the value of a FDG-PET-CT scan in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) prior to chemoradiotherapy. Materials and Methods . Consecutive patients with stage III or IV HNSCC who had undergone a staging FDG-PET-CT scan prior to chemoradiotherapy between August 2008 and April 2011 were included. Clinical details and conventional imaging (CT and/or MRI) were, retrospectively, reviewed, a TNM stage was assigned, and levels of cervical lymph node involvement were documented. This process was repeated with the addition of FDG-PET-CT. Radiotherapy plans were reviewed for patients with an alteration identified on TNM staging and/or nodal level identification with FDG-PET-CT and potential alterations in radiotherapy planning were documented. Results . 55 patients were included in the analysis. FDG-PET-CT altered the TNM stage in 17/55 (31%) of patients, upstaging disease in 11 (20%) and downstaging in 6 (11%); distant metastases were identified by FDG-PET-CT in 1 (2%) patient. FDG-PET-CT altered the lymph node levels identified in 22 patients (40%), upclassifying disease in 16 (29%) and downclassifying in 6 (11%). Radiotherapy plans were judged retrospectively to have been altered by FDG-PET-CT in 10 patients (18%). Conclusions . The use of FDG-PET-CT potentially impacts upon both treatment decisions and radiotherapy planning.