The Value of 18F-FDG PET in the Detection of Stage M0 Carcinoma of the Nasopharynx

Distant metastasis is an important issue for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The potential value of PET using 18F-FDG has not been well defined. This prospective study investigated the impact of 18F-FDG PET in NPC patients with stage M0 disease. Methods: From April 2001 to June 2003, 140 NPC patients (118 primary and 22 primary recurrent) with stage M0 (negative re-sults from chest radiography, liver sonography, and whole-body bone scanning) underwent 18F-FDG PET to check for distant metastases. Confirmatory MRI or CT was performed if any abnormal 18F-FDG uptake was found at distant sites. The dis-tant lesion was confirmed pathologically, if feasible, and was followed up clinically and with imaging for at least 6 mo. Re-sults: 18F-FDG PET detected 26 true-positive metastatic sites in 18 (12.9%) of the 140 patients, among whom 14 had primary and 4 had recurrent tumors. The patient-based sensitivity an