The role of technetium Tc99m-tetrofosmin as head and neck 
tumor-seeking agent: a preliminary report

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic value of technetium Tc99m-tetrofosmin (^99mTc-TF) in primary cancers of the head and neck. Methods: Methods: Single photon emission computer tomography with planar imaging of the neck for primary site evaluation and whole body scanning for assessment of metastases in 12 patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer. Tumor-to-background index (T/Bg) was derived in patients with positive findings (tumor or lymph nodes). Results: The tomographic images showed increased tracer uptake in pathological sites (primary tumor or lymph node) in 9 patients (overall sensitivity 75%). Primary tumor was visualised in 7 patients (sensitivity 58%) and infiltrated lymph nodes in 4 out 7 patients (sensitivity 57%). Mean values for T/Bg index were 5.44 ± 1.28 for primary tumor and 4.25 ± 1.67 for lymph nodes. Mean values for T/Bg index were 4.5 ± 0.71 for patients with in situ and grade I carcinoma and 6.68 ± 0.36 for patients with tumor grade II and III (P = 0.034, Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that ^99mTc-TF is a valuable radiotracer for head and neck cancer imaging. To determine the potential role of this imaging protocol in clinical practice will require a larger sample size.

Keywords

Head and neck cancer / radionuclide imaging / single photon emission computer tomography / ^99mTechnetium-tetrofosmin

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