Molecular Imaging 2017

/ 23 14

Study

Lessons from a standardized program using PET-CT to avoid neck dissection after primary radiotherapy for N2 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. Hitchcock et al., Florida College of Medicine Oral Oncol. 2015 Jul 8.

Design Changed clinical practice to LND, from CT+ (4wk)

to FDG-PET+ (12wk)

Monitored in a prospective trial

Current evaluation: 50 first consecutive patients with: Oropharyngeal carcinoma (mainly tongue base / tonsil) N2a-b (retropharyngeal nodes included) Suitable candidates for neck dissection LND at positive or equivocal PET at 12 weeks Follow-up at least 1 year after PET (regular CT+palpation)