Lipoblastoma/lipoblastomatosis presents some unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges when encountered in the oral cavity. In these rare cases, diagnostic confirmation with molecular testing and a conservative surgical resection can contribute to successful management.
Tumor hypoxia is a known independent prognostic factor for adverse patient outcomes in those with head and neck cancer. Areas of tumor hypoxia have been found to be more radiation resistant than areas of tumor with normal oxygenation levels. Hypoxia imaging may serve to help identify the best initial treatment option and to assess intratreatment monitoring of tumor response in case treatment changes can be made. PET imaging is the gold standard method for imaging tumor hypoxia, with 18F-fluoromisonidazole the most extensively studied hypoxic imaging tracer. Newer tracers also show promise.