The use of Deauville criteria in follow-up assessment of response to therapy in extra-nodal Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Objective

Our aim was evaluate the role the PET/CT in the assessment of response to therapy in patients with Non-Hodgkin extra-nodal lymphoma: in particular, a five-point scale (Deauville criteria), which can be employed for early- and late-therapeutic response assessment.

Methods

Sixty patients with pathologically confirmed Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients underwent the following PET/CT examinations: initial PET/CT for staging, interim PET/CT and end of treatment PET/CT. Response assessment was done using new Cheson’s guidelines and five-point scale (Deauville criteria).

Results

All patients were evaluated for response to therapy in the early interim, followed by late interim, as well as end treatment assessment for the overall response. We found good concordance of response assessment according to the Deauville criteria classification with International Harmonization Project (IHP) classification. After early interim 48/60 patients had concordant designations (91.7%, 83.3%, 70%, and 33.3%) and 12 patients had discordant designations. After late interim, 56/60 patients had concordant designations (100%, 100%, 80%, and 50%) and four patients had discordant designations. After end of treatment, 54/60 patients had concordant designations (100%, 100% and 71.4%) and six patients has discordant designations.

Conclusion

Response assessment according to the Deauville criteria classification showed good concordance with IHP classification. According to our findings, we recommend the use of Deauville criteria in reporting of PET/CT for staging and assessment of response to treatment.