[Current oncologic concepts and emerging techniques for imaging of head and neck squamous cell cancer]

Laryngorhinootologie. 2012 Mar:91 Suppl 1:S27-47. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1297259. Epub 2012 Mar 28.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is increasing and currently they account for 5% of all malignancies worldwide. Inspite of ongoing developments in diagnostic imaging and new therapeutic facilities, HNSCC still represents a multidisciplinary challenge. One of the most important prognostic factors in HNSCC is the presence of lymph node metastases. Patients with confirmed nodal involvement have a considerable reduction of their 5-year overall survival rate. In the era of individually optimised surgery, chemotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy, the main role of pre- and posttherapeutic imaging remains cancer detection at an early stage and accurate follow-up. The combined effort of early diagnosis and close patient monitoring after surgery and/or radio-chemotherapy influences disease progression and outcome prediction in patients with HNSCC. This review article focuses on currrent oncologic concepts and emerging tools in imaging of head and neck squamous cell cancer. Besides the diagnostic spectrum of the individual imaging modalities, their limitations are also discussed. One main part of this article is dedicated to PET-CT which combines functional and morphological imaging. Furthermore latest developments in MRT are presented with regard to lymph node staging and response prediction. Last but not least, a clinical contribution in this review explains, which information the head and neck surgeon requires from the multimodality imaging and its impact on operation planning.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Cell Hypoxia / physiology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Pathology
  • Patient Care Team
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Prognosis
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed