18FDG-PET following treatment as valid predictor for disease-free survival in Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Purpose:The value of ¹⁸FDG-PET to predict the outcomeafter therapy in Hodgkins lymphoma was compared to morphologic stagingand ESR.Patients and methods:A total of 50 concurrent¹⁸FDG-PET and CT studies were performed in 37 patients withHodgkins lymphoma. ESR was evaluated 32 times after treatment wascompleted.Results:Out of 39 residual masses found by CT 8 relapses couldbe proven. Out of 11 CT exams with CR 3 relapses occurred. CT turned out toshow a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 72%,21%, 21%, 73%, and 32%, with respect to predictdisease-free survival (DFS). ¹⁸FDG-PET was positive in 22examinations with 10 recurrences in this group. Out of 28 negative¹⁸FDG-PET 1 relapse developed 3 years later. ¹⁸FDG-PETturned out to show promising sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracyof 91%, 69%, 46%, 96%, 74%, with respectto predict DFS. ESR was elevated in 12 studies of which 5 relapses could beproven, while out of 20 normal ESR-studies 3 relapses occurred. Thus, ESRturned out to show sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of63%, 71%, 42%, 85%, and 75%, with respectto predict DFS. In summary, only ¹⁸FDG-PET was able to predict DFSstatistically significant.Conclusion:¹⁸FDG-PET can be very useful in patientswith residual masses after treatment.