Imaging in head and neck cancers: Update for non-radiologist

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the fifth most frequent cancer worldwide and associated with significant morbidity. Along with clinical examination and endoscopic evaluation, imaging plays an important role in pre- and posttherapeutic evaluation of patients with HNC. Cross-sectional Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) are routinely used in the assessment of these patients. This review provides an overview of the various cross-sectional imaging modalities used in the evaluation of HNC and will give a short summary of the latest imaging technologies regarding head and neck cancer diagnosis.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Head and neck cancer (HNC); Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); Magnetic resonance imaging; Nuclear medicine; Positron emission tomography computed tomography; Positron emission tomography magnetic resonance imaging; Radiation oncology; Radiology.