Open multicentric study assessing predictive value of 18-FDG PET (SUV max) at 20 Gy during radio-chemotherapy, on the loco-regional control after 2 years

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 75 years
• invasive epidermoid carcinoma of head and neck (excluding nasopharyngeal), confirmed by histology
• locally advanced disease (non-metastatic stages AJCC III-IV). AJCC = American Joint Committee on Cancer
• performance status ECOG ≤ 2. ECOG = Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
• no history of irradiation of the head and neck
• start of radiotherapy within 8 weeks after the pretreatment PET Scan
• no surgery other than biopsy
• pregnancy test: negative for women of childbearing potential
• reliable contraception for a childbearing couple, men and woman must have a reliable contraception during treatment
• signed informed consent form
• patient with national health insurance

Exclusion Criteria:

• prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy
• history of other cancer except: cutaneous non-melanoma tumor and cervix in situ carcinoma
• unstable conditions (cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary) or systemic (lupus erythematosus, scleroderma)
• pregnant patient or patient with breastfeeding
• patient unable to give his consent
• patient under administrative supervision
• patient who participates to another clinical trial on experimental drug
• regular follow-up impossible for various reasons (familial, economical, social, ...)
• diabetes
• accelerated radiotherapy protocol