Study of 4D Dynamic LAFOV FDG-PET Scans to Distinguish Between Residual Tumor and Inflammation After Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are conducting a multicenter prospective observational study to assess the usefulness of dynamic FDG-PET LAFOV imaging in the initial evaluation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma SCC after curative radiotherapy. The study focuses on differentiating residual cancer from post-radiation inflammation three months after treatment. This imaging method is being evaluated for its diagnostic performance in this specific patient population. Participants will undergo a dynamic LAFOV FDG-PET scan around three months following the completion of curative external radiotherapy. The study collects various PET imaging parameters using the Patlak Direct IDIF reconstruction method, including Ki mean, Ki max, DV mean, and DV max, to compare residual disease and post-treatment inflammation. Additional parameters and tumor characteristics such as p16 status and degree of tumor differentiation are also analyzed. During the study, participants will be monitored through imaging and clinical assessments, with follow-up data including dates of imaging, disease progression, and survival collected up to 12 months after the PET scan. The research team evaluates imaging results alongside clinical outcomes to better understand the value of this diagnostic approach in managing head and neck SCC after radiotherapy.

Diagnostic Performance Of 4D Dynamic LAFOV FDG-PET Acquisition for Differentiation of Residual Disease and Post-radiation Inflammation in Head Neck SCC Treated by Radiotherapy.