20 Participants Needed

PET-CT Scans for Head and Neck Cancer

JJ
SB
Overseen ByStephen Breen, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 4 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to see how useful the information provided from Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans can be in the actual planning and delivery of radiation treatment to patients who have head and neck cancers. Patients participating in this study, will have (in addition to their routine tests) a PET scan before and during their radiation treatment. Following the intervention, patients will be followed as per standard practice.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does exclude those who have had chemotherapy or are taking certain cancer drugs. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

Is 18-F FDG PET-CT safe for humans?

The research articles reviewed do not provide specific safety data for 18-F FDG PET-CT scans, but this imaging technique is widely used in medical practice, suggesting it is generally considered safe for humans.12345

How is PET-CT scanning unique in treating head and neck cancer?

PET-CT scanning is unique because it combines detailed anatomical images from CT scans with functional information from PET scans, helping to better stage the cancer, plan treatment, and monitor response. This approach can identify hidden metastases and improve the precision of radiotherapy, potentially sparing healthy tissue.36789

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment 18-F FDG, Fluorodeoxyglucose F 18, FDG-PET, 18F-FDG for head and neck cancer?

Research shows that FDG-PET scans are highly effective in identifying head and neck tumors, with a sensitivity of 97%, meaning they correctly identify 97% of actual tumors. This method is more accurate than traditional CT scans and helps distinguish between tumor recurrence and treatment-related changes, potentially improving patient management and outcomes.310111213

Who Is on the Research Team?

JJ

John J Kim, MD

Principal Investigator

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with non-nasopharynx head and neck cancers who haven't had chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the last 5 years. They should have visible cancer that's treatable with radiation alone, and a tumor that shows up on PET scans. Pregnant individuals or those unable to consent are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

My cancer is a type of squamous cell not in the nasopharynx area.
Radiologically evident gross disease
My tumor showed high activity on the initial PET-CT scan.
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot lie on my back for an extended period.
Inability to provide informed consent
I have had radiotherapy for head or neck cancer.
See 6 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-treatment PET Scan

Participants undergo a PET scan before starting radiation treatment to assist in planning

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Radiation Treatment

Participants receive radiation treatment with PET scans conducted during the treatment

6-8 weeks
Multiple visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment as per standard practice

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • 18-F FDG
Trial Overview The study is testing how helpful PET scans are before and during radiation treatment for head and neck cancer patients. It aims to improve treatment planning by using additional PET scan data alongside routine tests.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: HNSCC Patients receiving RTExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University Health Network, Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,555
Recruited
526,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Fluorine-labeled deoxyglucose (FDG) PET scanning is as reliable as conventional imaging methods for identifying primary and metastatic tumors in head and neck cancer, with better performance in detecting nodal metastases compared to small primary tumors.
In patients who have undergone radiation therapy, FDG-PET is significantly more effective than clinical examination and conventional imaging in distinguishing between tumor recurrence and soft-tissue changes due to radiation, highlighting its importance in post-treatment evaluations.
PET scanning in head and neck oncology: a review.McGuirt, WF., Greven, K., Williams, D., et al.[2019]
In a study of 121 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the use of (18) F-FDG PET/CT did not significantly improve disease-specific survival (DSS) or overall survival (OS) for those treated with radiochemotherapy alone.
However, for patients undergoing a combined treatment of surgery and radiochemotherapy, the addition of (18) F-FDG PET/CT was associated with improved outcomes, likely due to better tumor localization for surgical intervention.
Improved treatment outcomes with (18) F-FDG PET/CT for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.Haerle, SK., Soyka, MB., Schmid, DT., et al.[2016]
FDG-PET demonstrated a high sensitivity of 96% for detecting lymph node metastases in patients with primary head and neck cancer, outperforming CT and ultrasonography with fine-needle aspiration cytology (US/FNAC).
The use of FDG-PET also revealed second primary tumors in 17% of patients, highlighting its importance in comprehensive cancer assessment and suggesting it should be routinely used in clinical practice.
Preoperative evaluation of patients with primary head and neck cancer using dual-head 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.Stokkel, MP., ten Broek, FW., Hordijk, GJ., et al.[2019]

Citations

PET scanning in head and neck oncology: a review. [2019]
Improved treatment outcomes with (18) F-FDG PET/CT for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [2016]
Preoperative evaluation of patients with primary head and neck cancer using dual-head 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. [2019]
Clinical Utility of FDG-PET in Detecting Head and Neck Tumors. A Comparison of Diagnostic Methods and Modalities. [2020]
Dual modality of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with cervical carcinoma of unknown primary. [2016]
Reproducibility of (18)F-FDG PET uptake measurements in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma on both PET/CT and PET/MR. [2018]
Alternative PET tracers in head and neck cancer. A review. [2021]
Lipid metabolism marker CD36 is associated with 18FDG-PET/CT false negative lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [2023]
Detection of subclinical recurrence or second primary cancer using (18) F-FDG PET/CT in patients treated curatively for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [2018]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The role of PET-CT fusion in head and neck cancer. [2016]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
PET/CT in head and neck oncology: State-of-the-art 2013. [2022]
12.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
PET Imaging for Head and Neck Cancers. [2021]
[Clinical evaluation of 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT imaging in head and neck tumors]. [2016]
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