Quantitative 3D T1rho and T2 Mapping for Radiotherapy Treatment Response Monitoring in Head and Neck Cancer

Motivation: Early assessment of response to radiotherapy may be useful to crucial for effectively managing head and neck cancer (HNC). Goal(s): To evaluate the response to radiotherapy in HNC using quantitative 3D T1rho and T2 mapping. Approach: T1rho and T2 mapping was performed on a healthy volunteer and three HNC patients, one of whom was scanned before, during, and after radiotherapy. Results: Significant decrease in T1rho and T2 values of the tumor were observed two weeks after starting and completing radiotherapy. However, the values in other tissues, such as muscles, remained relatively stable across the three scans. Impact: This study evaluates the feasibility of using quantitative T1rho and T2 mapping to assess the treatment response to radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. This information could be valuable in tailoring individualized treatments for patients with head and neck cancer.