A Narrative Review on the Expanding Role of Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance in Head and Neck Cancer Management

Updates and advancements in the medical sciences are essential to address the increasing number of health-related problems. The treatment of such health issues depends heavily on the diagnosis and available technology. Different diagnostic imaging technologies with advanced features, such as positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR), are available today. The technology provides biological and anatomical details, offering better soft-tissue contrast from MR and comprehensive metabolic data from PET, opening a new path in diagnostic imaging. Cancer is one of the major global health issues, and the correct diagnosis of the disease is essential for the best treatment. PET/MR plays a vital role in the diagnosis of cancer, especially in head and neck cancer, by helping determine the stage, distinguish tumor from healthy tissues or organs, plan treatment modality, and provide the information required to treat a life-threatening disease like cancer. The article highlights PET/MR’s role in HNCs, its innovations, and the technical challenges encountered along the way. The article discusses the research and review articles from the past 14 years to provide an overview of PET/MR, its significance in head and neck oncology, and its role in the upcoming days.