PET-Computed Tomography in Head and Neck Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Yin Jie Chen; Tanya Rath; Suyash Mohan

doi:10.1016/j.mric.2017.08.003

PET-Computed Tomography in Head and Neck Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2018 Feb;26(1):37-49. doi: 10.1016/j.mric.2017.08.003. Epub 2017 Oct 12.

Authors

Yin Jie Chen¹, Tanya Rath², Suyash Mohan³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1 Silverstein, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
² Departments of Radiology and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Radiology Administration, PUH Suite E204, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
³ Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 219 Dulles Building, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: Suyash.Mohan@uphs.upenn.edu.

PMID: 29128005
DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2017.08.003

Abstract

Head and neck cancers are among the most common cancers worldwide. More than 90% to 95% are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Accurate staging at diagnosis optimizes treatment planning with improved outcomes. Recently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-computed tomography (CT) has shown tremendous value at diagnosis for accurate staging, treatment planning, and prognostication; and after definitive therapy for assessing response and long-term surveillance. Novel non-FDG PET tracers are under investigation, which have great potential for improving patient care in this era of personalized medicine.

Keywords: FDG; HNSCC; Head and neck; PET; PET-CT; Squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Head / diagnostic imaging
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Humans
Neck / diagnostic imaging
Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods*
Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / trends