Authors
Eero Kytö, Matti Karjalainen, Saara Markkanen, Tero Vahlberg, Lassi Raittinen, Rami Taulu, Jussi Hirvonen, Saana Isler, Jussi Laranne, Heikki Irjala, Elina Halme
Published in
Acta oto-laryngologica. Pages 1-8. Sep 23, 2026. Epub Sep 23, 2026.
Abstract
The incidence of head and neck cancer is increasing, creating a growing need for follow-up strategies. The benefit of routine PET imaging beyond six months after treatment in asymptomatic patients remains unclear.
To assess whether routine PET/CT or PET/MRI imaging one year after treatment improves survival in asymptomatic patients with HNSCC.
In this retrospective real-world cohort study, 590 asymptomatic HNSCC patients treated between 2010 and 2015 were included. All had achieved complete metabolic response on PET imaging 3-4 months after primary treatment. Patients underwent either routine PET imaging at one year (n=241) or no routine imaging (n=349). Primary endpoints were 5-year overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS).
Routine imaging detected recurrence in 14 patients (5.8%). Eight of these were eligible for curative treatment, with a 2-year OS of 38%. However, routine PET imaging was not associated with improved 5-year OS (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.50-1.05) or DFS (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.68-1.43). No stage- or site-specific subgroup demonstrated a significant survival benefit.
Although routine PET imaging identified some asymptomatic recurrences amenable to curative treatment, it did not improve long-term survival, questioning its value in routine follow-up of asymptomatic HNSCC patients.
PMID:
42773936
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 23 Sep 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 19
- Comments 0