Lymph node metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary in the upper and middle neck: Impact of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) imaging for detection of the primary tumor and its impact on treatment planning in patients presenting with cancer of unknown primary and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-positive cervical lymph nodes of the upper and middle neck.

Methods: The study population consisted of 18 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven SCC involving lymph nodes of the upper and middle neck region and negative conventional diagnostic procedures with regard to the location of the primary. All patients underwent FDG-PET/CT according to a standard procedure in search for the primary, unidentified tumor.