Using Fluorine-18-Labeled Fluoro-Misonidazole Positron Emission Tomography To Detect Hypoxia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate low oxygen areas called hypoxia within tumors. These low oxygen areas are thought to be the reason why tumors are more resistant to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. An imaging technique using a hypoxia tracer called fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) can detect low oxygen areas within a tumor. This imaging technique, called a PET scan, uses positively charged particles to detect slight changes in the body's biochemistry and metabolism. FMISO PET scans have been performed in patients with head and neck cancer and have shown the ability to detect low oxygen areas within tumors.