Impact of [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography on staging and management of early-stage follicular non-hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract

PURPOSE: Accurate staging is critical to select patients with early-stage (I-II) follicular lymphoma (ESFL) suitable for involved-field radiotherapy (IFRT) and to define the radiotherapy portal. We evaluated the impact of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET on staging, treatment, and outcome for patients with ESFL on conventional staging. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-two patients with untreated ESFL (World Health Organization Grade I-IIIa, or "low grade") following a minimum of physical examination, computerized tomography, and bone marrow examination (conventional assessment) and who had staging PET from June 1997 to June 2006 were studied retrospectively. Stage allocation was based on routine ima..