Imaging scans before and during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Uses PET and MRI scans to study adults with head and neck cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: The EMINENCE Study - PET/MR Imaging of Head Neck Cancer
Key facts
- Where
- Tromsø and Trondheim, NorwaySee the 2 sites
Where in Norway
- University Hospital of North NorwayTromsø, NorwayNot yet recruiting
- St Olavs Hospital, Department of OncologyTrondheim, NorwayTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Trial code
- NCT04612075
- Record updated
- 14 April 2026
- Original description
Head and neck cancers (HNC) often receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment. However, unacceptable failure rates and severe side effects remain a challenge. The improvements in radiotherapy are closely related to improvements in medical imaging. Functional imaging, where intratumoural characteristics such as tumour oxygenation, metabolism, and blood vessel function can be quantified, offers possibilities to personalize the radiotherapy. In this study we will establish the clinical workflow for PET- and MRI-based radiotherapy in HNC by acquiring images prior to and during radiotherapy to develop new concepts for image-based biologically adaptive radiotherapy, both based on photon-based radiotherapy and also proton therapy, which soon will be available for cancer patients in Norway. The investigators aim to contribute towards further developments of personalised high-precision radiotherapy for HNC patients resulting in improved outcome, reduced side-effects and better quality of life.Read full original descriptionShow less
The EMINENCE Study - PET/MR Imaging of Head Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers (HNC) often receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment. However, unacceptable failure rates and severe side effects remain a challenge. The improvements in radiotherapy are closely related to improvements in medical imaging. Functional imaging, where intratumoural characteristics such as tumour oxygenation, metabolism, and blood vessel function can be quantified, offers possibilities to personalize the radiotherapy. In this study we will establish the clinical workflow for PET- and MRI-based radiotherapy in HNC by acquiring images prior to and during radiotherapy to develop new concepts for image-based biologically adaptive radiotherapy, both based on photon-based radiotherapy and also proton therapy, which soon will be available for cancer patients in Norway. The investigators aim to contribute towards further developments of personalised high-precision radiotherapy for HNC patients resulting in improved outcome, reduced side-effects and better quality of life.
Inclusion: willing and able to give full written consent according to the protocol approved by the Regional Ethics Committee; histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma in the head neck region (pharynx, larynx, oral cavity or sinonasal area); locally advanced disease without sign of dissemination (T3/T4 and/or N1-3, M0) on diagnostic imaging; scheduled for definitive radiotherapy with curative intent with or without concomitant chemotherapy; adequate renal function: Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 ml/minute; lymph node metastasis from cancer of unknown primary of the upper neck (i.e. level II-III) were PET/CT is negative outside the head-neck region can be considered for inclusion at the discretion of the study investigators.
Exclusion: serious comorbidity (including previous or othe cancer) that in the opinion of the investigator would compromise the patient's ability to complete the study of interfere with the evaluation of the study objectives (e.g. poorly controlled diabetes mellitus); general contraindications for MRI (pacemaker, aneurysm clips, any form of metal in the body, severe claustrophobia); histologically confirmed SCC of same or other origin within the last five years; patient wants to withdraw for any reason during the study.