ACRIN to open study on FDG-PET/CT staging for neck cancer
The American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) is seeking clinical trial sites to study the predictive value FDG-PET/CT staging has on clinically-defined negative neck cancer patients. The study will be activated in January 2010.
The researchers said the two-year study will enroll 292 patients newly diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, who are at risk for occult metastasis and are under consideration for surgical resection.
According to the researchers, 25-30 percent of these patients that are clinically defined as negative present metastatic neck nodes at surgery. These nodes, according to ACRIN, can reduce the chances of survival by almost 50 percent.
The trial will sample neck lymph nodes through FDG-PET/CT to better define and more accurately treat clinically-defined negative neck cancer patients.
The researchers said the two-year study will enroll 292 patients newly diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, who are at risk for occult metastasis and are under consideration for surgical resection.
According to the researchers, 25-30 percent of these patients that are clinically defined as negative present metastatic neck nodes at surgery. These nodes, according to ACRIN, can reduce the chances of survival by almost 50 percent.
The trial will sample neck lymph nodes through FDG-PET/CT to better define and more accurately treat clinically-defined negative neck cancer patients.