2-Deoxy-2-[18F] Fluoro-d-Glucose PET/Computed Tomography: Therapy Response Assessment in Head and Neck Cancer.

18F-FDG-PET/CT (2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-d-glucose PET/computed tomography) is a reliable modality for accurate assessment of treatment response, early detection of recurrence, or second primary tumors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), if performed at the appropriate time after therapy. This review focuses on the utility of posttreatment 18F-FDG-PET/CT in HNSCC, reviews the expected imaging findings and pitfalls after treatments, summarizes common 18F-FDG-based quantitative and qualitative response assessment methods, and discusses the value of imaging surveillance in HNSCC. We also provide an overview of recently approved immune checkpoint inhibitors in HNSCC and current recommendations on immunotherapy-response monitoring.

Duke Scholars

Author Rathan Markandan Subramaniam Radiology