Chapter 3: The Role of PET/CT in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Publication date: Available online 15 June 2017
Source:Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI
Author(s): Hrishikesh Kale, Tanya J. Rath
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is an important cause of cancer morbidity worldwide and has been stratified into HPV-related and HPV-unrelated subgroups which impact prognosis and now staging. Conventional anatomic imaging methods are suboptimal for the detection of regional and distant metastases which are important prognosticators associated with poor outcomes. Functional imaging with FDG PET/CT is a useful tool in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, providing complementary physiologic and anatomic information. In this article, optimal PET/CT technique will be reviewed and the pre-treatment and post-treatment applications of PET/CT will be described. A simplified approach to imaging interpretation, including review of pearls and pitfalls will discussed. An initial framework for follow-up evaluation will be provided.



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