Value of FLT-PET Before and During Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Tumors

Radboud University Medical Center50 enrolled

Overview

Tumor cell proliferation and repopulation contribute to resistance to radiotherapy in head and neck cancer. Up to now, this characteristic is mostly assessed using biopsies acquired during inspection under general anaesthesia before treatment. 18F-FLT-PET (positron emission tomography) is a non-invasive imaging method showing areas of active proliferation. The aim of this study is to assess the value of the functional information gained by 18F-FLT-PET for radiotherapy planning and early tumor response assessment. Prior to radiotherapy, a planning CT-scan and a 18F-FLT-PET scan are acquired. After approximately two weeks of radiotherapy a further PET scan is obtained.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Head and Neck Neoplasms

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Stage II - IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head-and-neck region, treated with radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy with curative intent. 2. 18 years or older 3. Informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients who have undergone surgery as primary tumor therapy. 2. Patients treated with palliative intent. 3. Pregnancy

Locations (1)

Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Radiotherapy

Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Correlation of 18F-FLT-PET-signal changes before and during therapy with treatment outcome (clinical response and local tumor control)

Time frame: 1 year

Secondary Outcomes

Evaluation of the value of the functional information gained by 18F-FLT-PET regarding the definition of the planning target volume (PTV) for radiotherapy.

Time frame: 2 months

Measurement of 18F-FLT-PET-signal changes during radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy.

Time frame: 2 months