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.

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.

The effect of treatment on survival in patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma.

Objectives/hypothesis: Over the last 2 decades, survival from laryngeal cancer has decreased. We sought to identify factors associated with decreased survival in laryngeal cancer.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma from 1985 to 2002 were retrospectively reviewed.

Identification of distant metastases with PET-CT in patients with suspected recurrent head and neck cancer.

Objectives: To investigate the utility of positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) in identifying distant metastatic disease in patients with suspected recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 64 consecutive patients with suspected recurrent HNSCC following definitive treatment who underwent PET-CT imaging were eligible for inclusion.

The effect of occult nodal metastases on survival and regional control in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To determine factors associated with disease-free survival (DFS) and regional control in clinically node-negative head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) patients with occult metastasis.

Study Design: Non-randomized retrospective analysis.

Materials And Methods: Patients who underwent elective neck dissection (END) from 1985 to 2002 were analyzed.

Identification of distant metastases with positron-emission tomography-computed tomography in patients with previously untreated head and neck cancer.

Objectives: To investigate the utility of positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in identifying distant metastatic disease in patients with previously untreated head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) prior to definitive treatment.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 27 consecutive patients with previously untreated HNSCC who underwent PET-CT imaging in addition to chest radiography (CXR) as part of their metastatic workup.

Results: The majority of patients (89%) had TNM stage III or IV disease.