Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in evaluation of curative effect and progression-free survival on lymphoma

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in evaluation of curative effect and progression-free survival (PFS) for lymphoma patients. Methods The data of 85 lymphoma patients were retrospectively analyzed. Before and after 4-8 cycles standardized chemotherapy, the patients were evaluated with 18F-FDG PET/CT. The two-year PFS rate was compared. The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in evaluation of curative effect and PFS for lymphoma patients received chemoradiotherapy was analyzed. Results The non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was the common type, and the common pathogenic sites were head and neck lymph nodes, mediastinum and retroperitoneum. The majority of patients were accompanied with spleen enlargement and local lesions with high metabolism. The complete remission (CR) rate of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients in PET/CT negative group was significantly higher than that in positive group (86.4% vs. 42.9%, P=0.038). The two-year PFS rates in PET/CT positive group and negative group were 42.9% and 81.8%, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=7.70, P=0.006). Thirty-five NHL patients achieved CR, 13 achieved partial remission (PR), and 8 achieved stable disease (SD) or disease progression (PD). The two-year PFS rates in the CR group, PR group, SD or PD group were 89.7%, 65.3% and 19.4% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=12.41, P=0.002). PET/CT imaging had a strong PFS predictive effect on T cell lymphoma (TCL) patients (χ2=13.85, P=0.001) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients (χ2=13.51, P=0.001), and had no predictive effect on follicular lymphoma (FL) patients (χ2=4.63, P=0.099). Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT can evaluate the curative effect of lymphoma effectively and early predict prognosis, and has great guiding significance in choosing therapeutic schedule. Key words: Lymphoma; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Positron-emission tomography; Tomography, X-ray computed; Prognosis; Efficacy evaluation