Predictive Features of the Positron Emission Tomography Performed
After Two Cycles of Inductive Therapy in Malignant Lymphoma Patients
Slabý J.,Bělohlávek O., Tábor ská K., Procházka M., Trněný M.,Klener P.
I.interní klinika 1.LF UK a VFN,Praha PET centrum Nemocnice Na Homolce,Praha Státní zdravotní ústav,Praha |
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Summary:
Background.Positron emission tomography (PET)is a modern functional imaging method,recently introduced
to clinical oncology.The aim of our study was the evaluation of prognostic value of PET performed in malignant
lymphoma patients after two cycles of chemotherapy.
Methods and Results.From 9/99 to 11/00 PET was performed in 37 patients with malignant lymphoma (9x m.
Hodgkin,21x HG+IG-NHL,7x LG-NHL;26x new diagnosis,11x relaps of disease).Freedom from progression
interval (FFP)and overall survival (OS)were evaluated.Attenuation corrected PET imaging was done by dedicated
ECAT EXACT PET scaner from base of the skull to the upper thighs 1 hour after intravenous administration of
18-FDG (7.6 ±1.3 MBq/kg).Statistical analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier method.Significance of differences
between groups was determined by log-rank test on the level of 5%.After the induction therapy,30 patients were in
complete remission,3 patients in partial remission and in 4 cases progression of disease were observed.Progression
of disease was seen in 4 patients.Median follow up of living patients was 7 months (1 –13 months)from the end of
therapy.Progression,resp.relapse of disease occurred in 13 patients during this period,two patients died.PET
performed after the second course of therapy was positive in 18 patients and negative in 19 patients.Two progressions,
resp.relapses of disease were documented in PET-negative group and 11 in PET-positive group.FFP was significantly
different in PET positive and PET negative groups (p<0.05).The negative and positive predictive values of PET for
malignant lymphoma relapse or progression were estimated 89 %,63 %respectively.
Conclusion.Regardless the short follow-up period,our preliminary results reflect very good prognostic value of
PET performed after the second course of chemotherapy in malignant lymphoma patients.
Key words:
malignant lymphoma,positron emission tomography (PET),fluoro-deoxy-glukosa (FDG),predictive
capacity of examination.
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