Diagnosis, Staging, Radiation Treatment Response Assessment, and Outcome Prognostication of Head and Neck Cancers Using PET Imaging

In summary, 18F-FDG PET is a tool in the diagnosis, staging, and radiation treatment response assessment of head and neck cancers that is supported by substantial evidence. In cases of HNSCCUP, the addition of 18F-FDG PET to cross-sectional imaging increases the likelihood of identifying the primary site. In thyroid incidentalomas, 18F-FDG avidity raises the suspicion of malignancy and can lead to the diagnosis of thyroid cancers. Furthermore, 18F-FDG PET is a useful staging tool, particularly in the nodal and distant metastatic assessment of HNSCC. Post-treatment response assessment with 18F-FDG PET is recommended at roughly 12 weeks for HNSCCs. Finally, many non-18F-FDG tracers that reflect hypoxia, proliferation, and metabolism are actively being studied and have promise in the prognostication of different cancer types and the targeting of resistant disease.