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Investigational Scans (11C-Glutamine or 18F-FSPG PET) for Imaging Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer

Trial Status: administratively complete

This early phase I trial studies two new imaging techniques called 11C-glutamine positron emission tomography (PET) and 18F-FSPG PET to determine where and to what degree the 11C-glutamine tracer and 18F-FSPG tracer accumulate in normal and cancer tissue in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer. The standard imaging methods for head and neck cancers are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)s and computed tomography (CT) scans. PET scans are more sensitive than these standard methods, which means that they may be better able to detect and help manage the disease. Information from this study may improve imaging methods so that tumors can be found when they are smaller, which may lead to earlier treatment and/or better treatment plans and management.