Feasibility of Imaging in the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

A Pilot Feasibility Study of 99mTc EC DG SPECT/CT Imaging in the Treatment Response Evaluation in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary information on the potential of 99m Tc-EC-DG SPECT imaging to distinguish cancer from non cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Treatment naive patients with histologically proven cancer of the head and neck
• T4 primary tumor (all sites), N2 or N3 locoregional disease (all sites)
• At least one measurable site of disease
• At least 18 years of age
• Karnofsky performance status > or = 70% or ECOG <2
• Able to tolerate SPECT/CT imaging
• Adequate bone marrow function
• Adequate liver function
• Adequate renal function
• Written consent from patients
• Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 0-7 days prior to the first SPECT study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetics with insulin dependence or blood sugar levels >200 mg/dL prior to imaging
• Patient weight above the SPECT/CT table weight limit
• Pregnant and/or lactating female
• Unequivocal demonstration of metastatic disease
• Patients unwilling to or unable to comply with protocol