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Tumour volume measurement in head and neck cancer

Abstract

Tumour volume is a significant prognostic factor in the treatment of malignant head and neck tumours. Studies of laryngeal and pharyngeal tumours have shown tumour volume to be an important predictor for tumour recurrence. Some studies (for instance nasopharyngeal carcinoma) have shown through multivariate modelling that tumour volume is a dominant covariate that overwhelms T stage, N stage and stage group. The results of these studies have prompted several investigators to suggest the inclusion of tumour volume as an additional prognostic factor in future revisions of the TNM staging system. This paper briefly reviews the TNM system as a staging tool, the measurement of tumour volume and how tumour volume could possibly be incorporated in the system or used as an additional prognostic factor.

Author

Vincent F.H. Chong

Contact Details

Corresponding address:
Vincent F.H. Chong, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National University Hospital,
5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074

Reference

ICIS Cancer Imaging Volume 7 Special Issue A
DOI: 10.1102/1470-7330.2007.9002

Date Posted

1 October 2007

Open Access is provided for this article.

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