Does fluorodeoxyglucose PET add to the management of the neck following curative radiotherapy in head and neck cancer compared with computed tomography?

Abstract

In recent times, metabolic response to chemoradiotherapy has become possible due to the clinical application of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET. Its utility in the initial staging of head and neck cancer is becoming widely accepted, however, its role in the post-therapy management of the neck following chemoradiotherapy in node-positive head and neck cancer remains unresolved. This article examines the role of PET in the restaging of patients who achieve a complete response at the primary site following radiotherapy. In particular, the authors examine its potential use in the assessment of post-therapy residual nodes and its role in sparing patients from an unnecessary neck dissection in order to minimize treatment-related morbidity.

Keywords::

• head and neck cancer
• neck dissection
• neck management
• PET
• radiotherapy
• restaging
• surgery

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.