Document Detail


Revisiting the role of positron-emission tomography/computed tomography in determining the need for planned neck dissection following chemoradiation for advanced head and neck cancer.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19544378     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Planned neck dissection following chemoradiation (CR) has been advocated in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) with advanced nodal disease and a clinical complete response to CR because of the potential for residual occult nodal disease. The utility of positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) in identifying occult nodal disease in this scenario is controversial. METHODS: The medical records of all patients treated with CR for advanced HNSCC with N2 or N3 disease from December 2003 to June 2007 were reviewed. Patients with a complete clinical response were included if PET-CT performed 8 to 11 weeks after CR showed no distant disease and they underwent planned neck dissection. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients met study criteria. PET-CT was positive for residual nodal disease in 20 patients (63%). Pathology revealed carcinoma in 10 patients (31%): six of 20 patients with positive PET-CT scans (30%) and four of 12 patients with negative PET-CT scans (33%). The sensitivity and specificity of PET-CT was 60% and 36%. Regional recurrence developed in two patients (6%) who were not successfully salvaged. CONCLUSIONS: PET-CT performed 8 to 11 weeks after CR does not reliably predict the need for planned post-treatment neck dissection in patients with a complete clinical response following CR. Regional recurrence rates are comparable to those reported for patients observed with PET-CT, suggesting no advantage for planned neck dissection, and salvage rates were poor. These data suggest that delaying the timing of PET-CT, with surgery reserved for positive findings, is a reasonable alternative to planned neck dissection to avoid unnecessary surgery.
Authors:
Christine G Gourin; Brian J Boyce; Hadyn T Williams; Anne V Herdman; Paul A Bilodeau; Teresa A Coleman
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Laryngoscope     Volume:  119     ISSN:  1531-4995     ISO Abbreviation:  Laryngoscope     Publication Date:  2009 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-10-29     Completed Date:  2009-11-23     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8607378     Medline TA:  Laryngoscope     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  2150-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA. cgourin1@jhmi.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*,  drug therapy,  radiotherapy,  surgery,  therapy*
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*,  drug therapy,  radiotherapy,  surgery,  therapy*
Humans
Lymphatic Metastasis
Male
Middle Aged
Neck Dissection*
Neoplasm Staging
Positron-Emission Tomography*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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