An Intensive (18)F-Fludeoxyglucose–Positron Emission Tomography With Computed Tomography–Based Strategy of Follow-Up in Patients Treated for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Who Are Clinically Asymptomatic

IMPORTANCE: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a significant risk of locoregional recurrence within the first 2 years, with approximately two-thirds of patients experiencing such recurrence. While early recurrence detection may be associated with improved patient outcomes, the association of such detection with survival remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of an intensive posttreatment follow-up strategy using (18)F-fludeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography with computed tomography ((18)FDG-PET/CT) with survival among patients with HNSCC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This case-control study was conducted among patients treated at 1 of 3 locations in Brest, France (University Hospital, Military Hospital, or Pasteur Clinic). The statistical analysis was conducted from January to June 2023. All adults with histologically proven HNSCC who were treated with curative intent between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2019, and achieved a complete response on imaging at 3 to 6 months were included. They had a minimum of 3 years of follow-up. EXPOSURES: Patients undergoing an intensive posttreatment follow-up strategy had (18)FDG-PET/CT (PET/CT group) at months 12, 24, and 36, chosen at the discretion of ear, nose, and throat surgeons. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Overall survival (OS) at 3 years. RESULTS: Among 782 patients with HNSCC (642 males [82.1%]; median [IQR] age, 61 [56-68] years), 497 patients had (18)FDG-PET/CT during follow-up and 285 patients had conventional follow-up (CFU group). Cox regression analysis showed an association between undergoing (18)FDG-PET/CT and lower risk of death (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57-0.88; P = .002) after adjustment for covariates (age, sex, comorbidities, primary location, stage, surgeon, year of treatment, and treatment). The mean (SD) 3-year OS was significantly better in the PET/CT vs CFU group (72.5% [2.0%] vs 64.3% [2.9%]; P = .002). Analysis based on American Joint Committee on Cancer stage showed significantly better mean (SD) 3-year OS for advanced stages III and IV in the PET/CT group (373 patients) vs CFU group (180 patients; 68.5% [2.4%] vs 55.4% [3.8%]; P < .001), while no significant difference was observed between patients with stage I or II HNSCC. Analysis based on primary tumor site revealed significantly longer mean (SD) 3-year OS for oropharyngeal tumor in the PET/CT group (176 patients) than the CFU group (100 patients; 69.9% [3.5%] vs 60.5% [5.0%]; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This case-control study found that use of (18)FDG-PET/CT in the standard annual CFU of HNSCC was associated with a 3-year survival benefit, with a larger benefit for patients with advanced initial tumor stage (III-IV) and oropharyngeal disease.