Table 4.
Studies evaluating the predictive role of metabolic parameters of 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography performed during radiation therapy in head and neck cancer
| Studies | Number | Tumour subsites | Overall stage | Primary treatment | Median Follow up (months) | When | PET parameters | Outcome endpoints | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our study | 72 | OCC, OPC, LRC, HPC | IIIx18, IVx54 | CRT×57, Cet-RT×15 | 25 (6–70) | 3rd week | SUVmax, MTV, TLG | DFS, LRFS, MFFS, OS | Yes (SUVmax, MTV, TLG with DFS, LRFS) |
| Chen et al. 2014 [10] | 51 | OPC, HPC, NPC | IIIx16, IVx35 | RT×7, CRT×41, Cet-RT × 3 | 23 (7–53) | Cumulative dose of 40-50Gy | SUVmax, SRR | DFS, PRFS, NRFS, OS | Yes (SRR-P with DFS and OS) |
| Castaldi et al., 2012 [6] | 26 | OPC, HPC, NPC, LRC | IIx1, IIIx7, IVx18 | CRT | 29.2 (2.8-56) | After 2 wks | SUVmax | RFS and DFS | No |
| Hentschel et al., 2011 [8] | 37 | OCC, OPC, HPC, LRC | Not clear (only T and N stage reported) | CRT | 26 (8–50) | 10-20 Gy/week 1or2) 14 to 21 days (range: 1st to 6th week) | SUVmax, GTV PET | LRFS, DFS, OS | Yes (SUVmax >50 % reduction after 10-20Gy or week 1-2 with OS) |
| Ceulemans et al. 2011 [5] | 40 | OCC, OPC, NPC, HPC, LRC | Ix2, IIx9, IIIx10, IVx19 | RT×34, CRT×16 | 26 (7–50) | Week 4/ 47Gy | CR/NCR (visual assessment) | OS | No (CR with OS) |
| Farrag et al. 2010 [11] | 43 | NPC, LRC, HPC, OPC, OCC | Not clear (only T and N stage reported) | RT×27, CRT×16 | Median 12.7 months (3–34.5) | After 4 weeks or 47Gy | SUVmax | DFS, OS | Yes (SUVmax with OS) |
| Brun et al. 2002 [7] | 47 | OCC, OPC, HPC, LRC, OTHERS | II-IIIx17, IVx30 | RT × 37, IC+CRT×10, RT+Sg×1, RT+Sg+BR×1 | 39.6 (14.4-82.8) | 1-3 weeks | MR + SUV | CR (Complete Remission, LC, OS | Yes (MR with CR, LC, OS). |
OCC = oral cavity cancer; OPC = oropharyngeal cancer; LRC = laryngeal cancer; HPC = hypopharyngeal cancer; NPC = nasopharyngeal cancer; RT = radiation therapy; CRT = concurrent chemotherapy and RT; Cet-RT = Cetuximab+RT; SUVmax = maximum standardised uptake value; MTV = metabolic tumour volume; TLG = total lesional glycolysis; DFS = disease-free survival; LRFS = loco-regional failure-free survival; MFFS=metastatic failure free survival; OS = overall survival; CR = complete response; NCR = non-CR; RFS = relapse-free survival; LC = local control; MR = metabolic rate; Gy = gray; Sg = surgery; BR=brachytherapy; GTV = gross tumour volume; PRFS = primary RFS; NRFS = nodal RFS; SRR = Reduction Ratio of SUVmax