Abstract
Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of follow-up noninvasive FDG-PET/CT in patients with malignant epithelial head and neck cancer (MEHNC). Materials and Methods: We reviewеd 29 patients and analyzed 19 with MEHNC with curative-intent non-surgical treatment who underwent baseline, response assessment and follow-up FDG-PET/CT in the period 2015–2017. Patients with positive findings of FDG-PET/CT were histologically verified. Results : We analyzed 19 patients (13 males and 6 female). The FDG-PET/CT results showed remission in 58% and recurrence in 42%: local (n = 5), nodal (n = 2) and systemic recurrence (n = 1). There were 5 true positive FDG-PET/CT results, 14 true negative and no false positive or false negative results. The histopathological result confirmed local recurrence in 5 patients in the following localizations: larynx, hard palate, soft palate, tonsils and gingiva. FDG-PET/CT had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 100%, and accuracy of 100%. The Kaplan-Meyer analyses determined survival of 21.8 months until the onset of the first local recurrence established with control FDG-PET/CT. Conclusion : The 18F-FDG PET/CT is an effective method for monitoring the period after treatment in patients with MEHNC and may reliably detect a local recurrence.
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