Utility of positron emission tomography for the detection of disease in residual neck nodes after (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck cancer

Abstract

Background. This study evaluates the utility of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in patients with a node-positive mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who achieved a complete response at the primary site but had a residual mass in the neck 8 weeks or more after definitive (chemo)radiotherapy. Methods. Between October 1996 and July 2002, 39 eligible patients were identified. The reference PET scan was performed at a median of 12 weeks (range, 8-32 weeks) after treatment. Results. PET showed no metabolic activity in the residual mass in 32 patients. Five of these patients had a neck dissection and were all pathologically negative. The remaining 27 ..