Usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer.
- Author:
Min gi YU
1
;
Sun Youl RYU
Author Information
1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University, 2nd Stage of Brain Korea 21, Korea. ryu-suny@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
18F-FDG PET/CT;
Cervical lymph node metastasis;
Oral cancer
- MeSH:
Age Distribution;
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic;
Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18;
Free Tissue Flaps;
Humans;
Incidence;
Lymph Nodes;
Male;
Melanoma;
Mouth Neoplasms;
Neck Dissection;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Positron-Emission Tomography;
Sensitivity and Specificity
- From:Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
2009;35(4):213-220
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The present study was aimed to examine the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients who underwent neck dissection to treat oral cancer were subjected for examination. The cervical node metastasis was evaluated by means of clinical examination, CT scan, PET, and histologic examination. By comparing the results of each examination modality with those of histologic examination, it's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were determined. RESULTS: The oral cancer was more frequent in males with a ratio of 2.14:1. The sixth decade showed the highest incidence in age distribution with mean of 56+/-16. Histologic findings showed that squamous cell carcinoma was the most common (15 patients), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (3), malignant melanoma (2), and adenoid cystic carcinoma and ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (1 each), in order. In most cases, wide surgical excision of the primary cancer and neck dissection was performed, followed by reconstruction with free flaps when necessary. When comparing the results of each examination modality with those of the histologic examination, clinical examination showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value at 11%, 85%, 33%, and 58%, respectively. CT scans showed at 67%, 77%, 67%, and 77%, while 18F-FDG PET/CT at 78%, 77%, 70%, and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PET is more useful, compared with clinical examination and CT scans, in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer.
