Abrar Siddiqui MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jayakumari Gona MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Fazalur Rehman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Myron Czuczman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dominick Lamonica MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the accuracy of FDG-PET in identifying disease in patients with low grade non Hodgkin’s lymphoma

We reviewed results of 78 staging FDG-PET scans in patients with histopathological confirmation of low-grade lymphoma over a 2 year period. Patients had no prior therapy and were screened as Low-grade/Indolent lymphomas according to IWF, REAL and WHO classifications regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or co-morbidity.

Disease subgroups included Follicular lymphomas, grades I-III (55), Small lymphocytic lymphomas (14), Marginal zone or MALT lymphomas (5), and Low grade B-cell lymphomas (4). Overall, disease was identified in 81% of patients with SUVmax ranging from 2.8 to 15.7. This included: 89% of Follicular lymphomas, grades I-III (SUVmax: 2.8 to 13.7), 71% of Small lymphocytic lymphomas (SUVmax: 2.8 to 9.3), 25% of Marginal zone or MALT lymphomas (SUVmax: 4.6 to 15.7), and 75% of Low grade B-cell lymphomas (SUVmax: 4.4 to 11.2). Diagnostic CT in FDG-PET negative patients, was unremarkable in 47%, in 53% demonstrated non-specific, borderline-sized lymphadenopathy and in only 7% identified lymph nodes or mass lesions sufficient to characterize as malignant.

The higher sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET for characterization of disease in indolent lymphoma makes it a useful diagnostic modality for identifying and staging of all grades of lymphoreticular neoplasm. It is a more accurate indicator of disease in early stages of LGNHL and probably helps in planning the therapy.

Improved staging of low grade non Hodgkin's lymphoma (LGNHL) with probable implications for therapy planning.

Siddiqui, A, Gona, J, Rehman, F, Czuczman, M, Lamonica, D, Utility of the FGD-PET in Low Grade Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (LGNHL).  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5002670.html