Role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in evaluation of carcinoma epidermoid of head and neck. Lebanese experience with review of the literature

Abstract

Since its implementation in the evaluation and monitoring of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, PET/CT has become the imaging modality of choice for this category providing anatomical and metabolic information at once. 18F-FDG-PET/CT is useful in identifying a cancer of unknown primary, extension of the primary tumor, detection of regional lymph node involvement even with infracentimetric lymph node, detecting a metastatic lesion and in few instances identifying a synchronous primitive tumor. It provides a vital role in assessing the response to treatment, monitoring the long-term recurrence and recently in planning radiotherapy. © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS.