Repeated imaging with positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is associated with cumulative exposure to substantial doses of radiation. Furthermore, PET-CT is an expensive and limited resource in many institutions. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate whether limited PET-CT focused on the initially involved field of view (FOV) at diagnosis, corresponding to an above- or below-the-diaphragm scan, is sufficient for follow-up of patients with Hodgkin (HL) and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). One hundred thirty-one examinations of 44 patients with early-stage (I-II) HL (n = 27) and aggressive NHL (n = 17) who had PET-CT performed as part of their initial staging and at follow-up were analyzed. Regardless of the extent of response to treatment, there was no single case in which the disease progressed outside of the initially involved FOV (0/44, 95% CI 0-0.08). This was true even in cases of disease progression, including in the setting of relapse. Our findings suggest that limited PET-CT analysis of the initially involved FOV in patients with early-stage curable lymphoma may be satisfactory for response assessment.

Keywords:
Hodgkin lymphoma, Limited positron emission tomography-computed tomography, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Radiation exposure
© 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
2013
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.