Improving target definition for head and neck radiotherapy: a place for magnetic resonance imaging and 18-fluoride fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography?

R J D Prestwich; J Sykes; B Carey; M Sen; K E Dyker; A F Scarsbrook

doi:10.1016/j.clon.2012.04.002

Improving target definition for head and neck radiotherapy: a place for magnetic resonance imaging and 18-fluoride fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography?

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2012 Oct;24(8):577-89. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2012.04.002. Epub 2012 May 15.

Authors

R J D Prestwich¹, J Sykes, B Carey, M Sen, K E Dyker, A F Scarsbrook

Affiliation

¹ Department of Nuclear Medicine, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK. Robin.Prestwich@leedsth.nhs.uk

PMID: 22592142
DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2012.04.002

Abstract

Defining the target for head and neck radiotherapy is a critical issue with the introduction of steep dose gradients associated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Tumour delineation inaccuracies are a major source of error in radiotherapy planning. The integration of 18-fluoride fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET) and magnetic resonance imaging directly into the radiotherapy planning process has the potential to greatly improve target identification/selection and delineation. This raises a range of new issues surrounding image co-registration, delineation methodology and the use of functional data and treatment adaptation. This overview will discuss the practical aspects of integrating (18)FDG-PET and magnetic resonance imaging into head and neck radiotherapy planning.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
Radiopharmaceuticals*

Substances

Radiopharmaceuticals
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18