State-of-the-Art Research on “Lymphomas: Role of Molecular Imaging for Staging, Prognostic Evaluation, and Treatment Response”

Abstract

Lymphomas are heterogeneous but potentially curable group of neoplasms. Treatment of lymphomas has rapidly evolved overtime with significant improvement in the cure rate and reductions in treatment-related toxicities. Despite excellent results, treatment programs are continued to be developed to achieve better curative and safety profiles. In these patients individualized therapy schemes can be devised based on a well-defined risk categorization. The therapy efficacy can be increased early during therapy in non-responding patients with escalated therapy protocols or with the addition of radiation therapy, particularly, in advanced-stage or unfavorable risk patients. The increasing availability of positron emission tomography using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, particularly fused with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) has lead to the integration of this modality into the routine staging and restaging for lymphoma with convincing evidence that it is a more accurate imaging modality compared with conventional imaging techniques. FDG-PET/CT is also is a promising surrogate for tumor chemosensitivity early during therapy. This review will summarize published data on the utility of FDG-PET/CT imaging in the staging, restaging, and predicting therapy response in patients with lymphoma.

The role of bone marrow biopsy and FDG‐PET/CT in identifying bone marrow infiltration in the initial diagnosis of high grade non‐Hodgkin B‐cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. accuracy in a multicenter series of 372 patients

“…This proposal is distinct from those of Khan et al [14], and Berthet et al [15], in that, in PET/CT negative cases, the former precludes BMB, while the latter considers it an option; therefore, according to our data, 10% of patients will be understaged with those approaches. In addition, it is distinct from those proposed by Mittal et al and Kostakoglu et al, in that they advise BMB in positive PET/CT, which is clinically unnecessary according to our data [24,25].…”

A Strange Case of Phyllodes Tumor Detected Using 18F-FDG PET/CT in an Adolescent Patient Affected by Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Possible Pitfall

“…4,12,23,24 Even though PET/CT imaging has been widely studied in lymphomas and in breast cancer, there is a lack of literature about the role of PET/CT in the diagnosis of phyllodes tumors, because of the rarity of this disease. [25][26][27][28] In 1996, Holle et al first showed an intense 18 F-FDG uptake in a rapidly growing phyllodes tumor. 29 Two years later, Bakheet and colleagues reported the case of a 22-year-old woman with an 18 F-FDG avid focus in the right breast corresponding to the local recurrence of a cystosarcoma phyllodes.…”

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Era of Precision Oncology: How Imaging Is Helpful

“…In abdominal lymphoma, CECT may be helpful in differentiating lymph nodes from collapsed bowel loops and vessels; in head and neck lymphoma, it may be useful to differentiate physiologic uptake from enlarged cervical lymph nodes. A diagnostic CT scan is required where precise measurements of involved lymph nodes are needed (44). …”