3-year overall survival benefit of systematic follow-up with 18F-FDG PET/CT in asymptomatic patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a multicenter study

Rákkutatás · Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

In this multicenter study, the use of 18 F‑FDG PET/CT as an alternative to annual chest CT in the follow‑up of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated to a survival benefit at 3 years.

The aim was to assess the potential benefit of a systematic post‑treatment follow‑up strategy using 18 F‑FDG PET/CT imaging on overall survival in patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A multicenter case–control study included 697 adults diagnosed with histologically confirmed HNSCC, treated with curative intent between 2017 and 2020, and who had a complete response on imaging. Patients were followed for at least three years with either conventional follow‑up (CFU) or CFU plus systematic annual 18 F‑FDG PET/CT. The primary endpoint was 3‑year overall survival (OS). The study found a 3‑year OS of 83.5 ± 2.8 % in the PET/CT group versus 73.4 ± 2.1 % in the CFU group (p = 0.008). Cox regression analysis demonstrated a protective effect of routine 18 F‑FDG PET/CT on survival (HR = 0.56, 95 % CI 0.397–0.795, p = 0.001). These results suggest that systematic PET/CT surveillance is associated with a survival benefit at 3 years in patients with HNSCC.

If widely adopted, a systematic annual 18 F‑FDG PET/CT could improve long‑term survival by facilitating earlier detection of subclinical recurrence or new primary tumours, allowing more timely curative interventions. This approach may therefore influence surveillance guidelines for HNSCC and potentially reduce morbidity and mortality associated with delayed recurrence diagnosis.

Bizonyítékszint: Állatkísérletes. Állatmodellben vizsgálták.

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