Clinical Utility of PET/CT in Lymphoma

Clinical Utility of PET/CT in Lymphoma
Carmel G. Cronin1, Ronan Swords2, Mylene T. Truong3, Chitra Viswanathan3, Eric Rohren3, Francis J. Giles2, Michael O'Dwyer4 and John F. Bruzzi1
1 Department of Radiology, University College Hospital Galway, Galway University Hospitals, Newcastle Rd., Galway, Ireland.
2 Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, Institute for Drug Development, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.
3 Department of Diagnostic Imaging, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX


Source: http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/content/abstract/194/1/W91?rss=1
4 Department of Hematology, University College Hospital Galway, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this review is to assist interpreting radiologists in becoming familiar with the role of PET/CT in baseline staging and therapeutic response assessment in the management of lymphoma, in becoming aware of imaging pitfalls, and in understanding the natural behavior of lymphoma and the therapeutic options.

CONCLUSION. Therapeutic strategies for the management of lymphoma are constantly being refined to improve long-term survival with the lowest risk of toxicity to the patient. PET/CT is accurate for baseline staging and yields important prognostic information for determining the most appropriate initial treatment. Used for evaluation of treatment response, PET/CT can depict residual viable malignant lesions with greater accuracy than can other imaging techniques. The findings thereby influence decisions about the need for additional or alternative treatment.