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StatPearls, LLC

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography

Nuclear Medicine PET/CT Head and Neck Cancer Assessment, Protocols, and Interpretation

Positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) integrates physiologic and anatomic imaging to evaluate hypermetabolic processes, playing a key role in the diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of head and neck cancers (HNC), most commonly squamous cell carcinoma associated with tobacco, alcohol, or human papillomavirus. This activity reviews PET-CT principles, including 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake, standard uptake value interpretation, and common sources of false-positive and false-negative findings. Participants will also gain an understanding of appropriate clinical indications guided by National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommendations, including the detection of occult primary tumors, assessment of nodal and distant metastases, treatment planning, and posttreatment surveillance. Limitations in sensitivity, specificity, and cost-effectiveness are addressed, along with a comparison with CT and MRI. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner’s competence in accurate image interpretation, staging using lymph node classification systems, selecting appropriate imaging strategies to optimize diagnostic accuracy, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach when employing this radiographic technique to guide management decisions and reduce unnecessary invasive procedures.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsNursingUp to 2 creditsPharmacyUp to 2 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 2 pointsABPMR — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 2 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABOHNS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABPMR — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 2 credits
  • MOC · Up to 2 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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