18F-FET PET/CT in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an intra-individual comparison with 18F-FDG PET/CT

Publication

18F-FET PET/CT in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an intra-individual comparison with 18F-FDG PET/CT

Journal Paper/Review - Oct 1, 2011

Haerle Stephan Kurt, Fischer Dorothee R, Schmid Daniel T, Ahmad Nader, Huber Gerhard, Buck Alfred

Citation

Haerle S, Fischer D, Schmid D, Ahmad N, Huber G, Buck A. 18F-FET PET/CT in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an intra-individual comparison with 18F-FDG PET/CT. Mol Imaging Biol 2011; 13:1036-42.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Mol Imaging Biol 2011; 13

Publication Date

Oct 1, 2011

Issn Electronic

1860-2002

Pages

1036-42

Brief description/objective

PURPOSE
To assess the diagnostic value of O-2-fluoro-18(F)-ethyl-L-tyrosine ((18)F-FET) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma compared with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) PET/CT at initial staging and following radiochemotherapy.

PROCEDURES
Thirteen patients were prospectively enrolled; each of them underwent an (18)F-FDG PET/CT and (18)F-FET PET/CT before treatment. Ten of those were scanned 10 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS
Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for (18)F-FDG PET/CT (primary and lymph node metastases) at initial staging were 89%, 50%, and 81%. For (18)F-FET PET/CT the numbers were 70%, 90%, and 74%. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for (18)F-FDG PET/CT at follow-up were 71%, 65%, and 67%. For (18)F-FET PET/CT the numbers were 29%, 100%, and 83%. Additionally, (18)F-FDG PET/CT detected a higher number of second malignancies or distant metastases.

CONCLUSIONS
(18)F-FET is no substitute for (18)F-FDG. Although it is more specific, too many malignant lesions are missed due to its lower sensitivity.