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Integrated PET-CT treatment planning of locally advanced head and neck cancer: a review of imaging features and the contribution to clinical outcomes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2021

Federico Ampil Open the ORCID record for Federico Ampil [Opens in a new window]  and
Michelle Norton
Federico Ampil*
Affiliation:
Division of Radiation Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
Michelle Norton
Affiliation:
Division of Radiation Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Federico Ampil, Division of Radiation Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA71103, USA. E-mail: fampil@sh.lsuh.edu
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Abstract

Aim:

Little is known about how integrated positron emission tomography-computed tomography (IPET-CT), both imaging tools and not methods of treatment, contributes to head and neck cancer patients’ outcomes. We analysed the clinical PET-CT findings and their correlation to the effects of applied contemporary disease management.

Methodology:

A retrospective analysis of 29 individuals who underwent treatment planning fusion of PET-CT for radiochemotherapy of locally advanced head and neck cancer between 2010 and 2016 was undertaken. Gross tumour volumes were categorised as small (≤36 cm3) or large (>36 cm3), and tumour responses to therapy were classified as complete or incomplete.

Results:

The overall rates of complete tumour response (CTR), 3-year crude survival and failure (all types included) were 80%, 41% and 55%, respectively. Comparative analysis of tumour volume subsets revealed no significant differences in the rates of CTR (p > 0.80), 3-year survival (p > 0.30) and locoregional recurrence (p > 0.70). CTR was associated with improved prognosis (p > 0.05) and fewer tumour relapses (p < 0.02).

Conclusion:

Our findings, although not truly conclusive, appear in line with those in the literature. Smaller tumour volumes and CTRs shown on integrated PET-CT are likely to play important roles in the promotion of better prognosis, but further study with larger patient numbers and more data are needed.

Keywords

head and neck cancerPET-CT imagingradiochemotherapy
Type
Short Communication
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 21 , Issue 4 , December 2022 , pp. 553 - 555
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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