Resumo

DE-AZEVEDO-VAZ, Sergio Lins et al. Positron-emission tomography in head and neck cancer. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2013, vol.61, n.3, pp. 183-188. ISSN 1981-8637.

Head and neck cancer is considered a public health problem worldwide, given its high morbidity and mortality. The more advanced is the histopathologic grade, the more aggressive may be the therapies. The development of health policies, diagnosis and treatments lead to better prognostic perspectives. This paper aimed to review the literature regarding the application of positron emission tomography in head and neck cancer, including its impact in the diagnosis, image principles, radiotracers, positron emission tomography / computed tomography image fusion and other advantages. The review was performed following systematized search strategies reported in the literature. It could be observed that the use of positron emission tomography improves the diagnostic approach of the patients, especially when positron emission tomography is allied to computed tomography. As it provides physiological information, positron emission tomography also benefits the prognostic and reduces the morbidity related to the treatment of head and neck cancer.

Palavras-chave : Carcinoma, squamous cell.; Head and neck cancer.; Positron-emission tomography..