Comparison of FLT and FDG PET in the Evaluation of Response to Cetuximab, Cisplatin and Radiation Therapy in Advanced Head and Neck Malignancies or Response to Standard Chemo-radiotherapy in Esophageal Malignancies

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx

  • Advanced disease

• Requires chemoradiotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-1
• Life expectancy ≥ 16 weeks
• Weight loss ≤ 10% within the past 3 months
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• ANC ≥ 1,500/mm³
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
• Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST ≤ 3 times ULN
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL
• Creatinine clearance ≥ 40 mL/min
• No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2
• No NYHA class III-IV heart disease
• No uncontrolled infection
• No poorly controlled diabetes that would limit the ability to obtain reliable fludeoxyglucose F 18 PET scan results
• No other severe underlying disease that, in the judgment of the investigator, would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• More than 2 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered
• No prior radiotherapy to the planned treatment field
• No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF)