Diagnosis, Staging, Radiation Treatment Response Assessment, and Outcome Prognostication of Head and Neck Cancers Using PET Imaging

This systematic review summarizes the current applications of (18)F-FDG PET imaging in the diagnosis, staging, radiation treatment response assessment, and outcome prognostication of head and neck cancers. For head and neck cancers of unknown primary origin, (18)F-FDG PET/CT increases the likelihood of identifying the primary tumor and establishing the diagnosis. (18)F-FDG PET/CT is important in the accurate staging of locoregionally advanced cases of HNSCC, which can greatly affect recommendations for treatment. Following definitive chemoradiation, (18)F-FDG PET/CT is validated as a means of treatment response assessment. Emerging PET tracers of hypoxia and their potential applications are reviewed.