PET/CT versus triple endoscopy in initial workup of HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Issue 5 (25th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muller, Richard Grant; Weidenbecher, Mark; Ludlow, David
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 44:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 1164
• Page End: 1171
• Publication Date: 2022-02-25
• Subjects: cancer -- endoscopy -- head and neck cancer -- HPV‐related oropharyngeal cancer -- PET/CT; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.27016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Synchronous primary tumors (SPTs) are detected via triple endoscopy or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Patients with human papillomavirus‐associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC) lack risk factors for SPTs. Methods: We performed a single institution retrospective review of the efficacy of triple endoscopy and PET/CT in HPV+ OPSCC patients. Results: Sixty‐five HPV+ OPSCC patients underwent triple endoscopy and PET/CT. Patients were white ( n = 48, 72.7%), male ( n = 53, 81.5%), mean 58.7 ± 8.1 years old. SPT was detected in 1 (1.5%) patient via PET/CT. No SPTs were detected on triple endoscopy. PET/CT had 100% and 95.3% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. PET/CT positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 25.0% and 100%, respectively. Triple endoscopy specificity and NPV was 90.2% and 93.2%, respectively. Conclusions: PET/CT is superior to triple endoscopy in ruling out SPTs. With negative PET/CT, only direct laryngoscopy with biopsy may be necessary.