PET/Computed Tomography: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers

Abstract

Treatment of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy is aimed at improving survival and preserving function. PET with fluorodeoxyglucose F 18 (¹⁸F FDG-PET)/computed tomography is the standard of care and an integral part of staging and treatment response assessment in patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Knowledge of cross-sectional laryngeal and hypopharyngeal anatomy, expected patterns of tumor spread, and awareness of physiologic FDG uptake in head and neck structures is essential for accurate TNM staging. ¹⁸F FDG-PET/computed tomography is superior to anatomic imaging in identifying posttreatment local, regional, and distant tumor recurrence.

Keywords: FDG; HNSCC; Hypopharyngeal cancer; Laryngeal cancer; PET/CT.