PET imaging may not improve diagnostic accuracy in early head and neck cancer

The editorialists contend, however, that clinicians typically use one or more diagnostic imaging techniques, as well as clinical examinations, to assemble an overall picture of their patient’s disease and do not rely on a single test. Therefore, comparing one imaging technique against another may not adequately capture the possible benefit gained from an approach. “Prospective data remain a critical necessity to translate imaging improvements with FDG-PET into proven treatment improvements,” the editorialists write.

Contact:

• Article: John Ioannidis, , 302651097807

• Editorial: Julie Penne, , (713) 792-0662

Citation:

• Article: Kyzas PA, Evangelou E, Denaxa-Kyra D, Ioannidis JPA. 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography to Evaluate Cervical Node Metastases in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst 2008;100: 712-720

• Editorial: Schwartz DL, Macapinlac HA, Weber RS. FDG-PET Staging of Head and Neck Cancer — Can Improved Imaging Lead to Improved Treatment" J Natl Cancer Inst 2008; 100: 688-689
  
  

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