Improving the efficacy of PET-CT imaging in head and neck cancer management and surveillance through the multidisciplinary team: a multi-centre, retrospective cohort analysis of 51 patients

Abstract

• There has been a recent move towards image-guided surveillance of N2/N3 disease in HNSCC and neck dissection only in selected cases
• PET-CT demand is rising and alters management in a third of HNSCC patients
• PET-CT is expensive and can lead to unnecessary and harmful investigations, delaying treatment
• The MDT is significantly less likely to request an inappropriate PET-CT than the individual clinician
• Collaboration among specialists may minimise the ordering of inappropriate PET-CTs, reducing costs and improving patient safety and management