Study: PET/CT aids radiation treatment in HNC patients

The use of PET/CT can improve radiation treatment planning for patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs), according to a review of studies that was recently published in the World Journal of Radiology.

The researchers, led by Musaddiq Awan, MD, from Case Western Reserve University, sought to investigate the particular benefits of PET/CT for radiation treatment planning in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Radiation therapy plays a central role in the treatment of HNC patients, and limiting toxicity is particularly important for the growing number HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer patients. These patients are generally younger with few comorbidities and, thus, are expected to live longer with long-term radiation complications. Read more.