Korean J Head Neck Oncol.  2021 May;37(1):17-22. 10.21593/kjhno/2021.37.1.17.

Clinical Significance of FDG PET-CT Scan at 12 Weeks after Curative Radiation Therapy in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

• Kim Yi
• Kim Js
• Kwon J
• Kim S
• Seo Y
• Koo Bs
• Chang Jw
• Cho MJ

• KMID: 2516449
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21593/kjhno/2021.37.1.17

Abstract

Background/Objectives
To evaluate clinical significance of FDG PET-CT for detection of residual cancer cells after curative radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of Head and Neck Materials & Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with SCC of Head and neck with curative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherpy between June 2011 and Jan. 2019 was performed. Sixty patients were treated with Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The Metabolic responses were evaluated on the post-treatment FDG PET-CT at 12 weeks after curative radiotherapy completion.
Results
Median follow up was 51.5 months (3-102). The overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), local control rate (LCR), and Distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) at 5 years were 80.5%, 80.1%, 87.7% and 89.1%. Metabolic CR was found in 43 (71.7%) and partial metabolic response (PR) was noted in 17 (14.6%). Metabolic CR was significantly correlated with OS, DFS, LCR, and DMFS. On multivariate analysis, Metabolic CR remained significant for DFS and LCR.
Conclusion
Metabolic CR on post-radiotherapy FDG PET-CT is highly predictive of increased DFS and LCR in patients with head and neck cancer.

Keyword

Head and neck cancer; Radiotherapy; PET-CT