The Prognostic Implications for 18F-FDG PET Standardized Uptake Value of Primary Tumor and Neck Lymph Nodes in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Results: Between December 2005 and April 2009, 112 eligible patients were enrolled. The median age was 55 (range, 25-88) years with the majority being males (81%). The predominant primary site and T and N staging were oropharynx 74%, T2 36% and N2 75% (N2b 38%). The median pre-treatment nodal size of the dominant node was 30mm (range, 11-90mm). Residual CT/MRI nodal abnormalities were present in 41 of the 103 (40%) patients with a neck negative PET (median size 15mm, range 10-40mm). All PET negative patients were observed and, with a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 9-60), the 2-year isolated regional failure rate for this group was 0% (95% CI 0-3.5%). of the 9 PET neck positive patients, 8 underwent a post-RT neck dissection with 3 subsequently experiencing an isolated regional failure. The 2-year isolated regional failure rate for the entire cohort was 2.5% (95% CI 0.6 -10.0%) with a neck dissection rate of 7%.