Optimized Diffusion-Weighted Imaging for the Evaluation of Post-Treatment Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Neck: Comparative Study With FDG PET/CT

Optimized Diffusion-Weighted Imaging for the Evaluation of Post-Treatment Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Neck: Comparative Study With FDG PET/CT

The investigators propose a longitudinal study evaluating post-treatment changes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the neck using an innovative optimized diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) pulse sequence to identify more accurately recurrent tumors as well as early non-responders to therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically-proven newly diagnosis or recurrence as indicated by tissue diagnosis of T3 or T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
• Must have had or be scheduled for standard-of-care surgical resection, radiation, and/or chemo-radiation of the diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
• At least 18 years of age
• Patient must be able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to MRI, including:

  • MRI-incompatible implantable devices
  • severe claustrophobia; and

• Pregnant and/or breastfeeding, with women of childbearing potential having a negative urine or serum pregnancy test