18FDG-PET following treatment as valid predictor for disease-free survival in Hodgkin's lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
The value of 18FDG-PET to predict the outcome after therapy in Hodgkin's lymphoma was compared to morphologic staging and ESR.


METHODS
A total of 50 concurrent 18FDG-PET and CT studies were performed in 37 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. ESR was evaluated 32 times after treatment was completed.


RESULTS
Out of 39 residual masses found by CT 8 relapses could be proven. Out of 11 CT exams with CR 3 relapses occurred. CT turned out to show a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 72%, 21%, 21%, 73%, and 32%, with respect to predict disease-free survival (DFS). 18FDG-PET was positive in 22 examinations with 10 recurrences in this group. Out of 28 negative 18FDG-PET 1 relapse developed 3 years later. 18FDG-PET turned out to show promising sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 91%, 69%, 46%, 96%, 74%, with respect to predict DFS. ESR was elevated in 12 studies of which 5 relapses could be proven, while out of 20 normal ESR-studies 3 relapses occurred. Thus, ESR turned out to show sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 63%, 71%, 42%, 85%, and 75%, with respect to predict DFS. In summary, only 18FDG-PET was able to predict DFS statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
18FDG-PET can be very useful in patients with residual masses after treatment.
de Wit
M
M
Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. dewit@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Bohuslavizki
K H
KH
Buchert
R
R
Bumann
D
D
Clausen
M
M
Hossfeld
D K
DK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18