Impact of (18)F-FDG PET/CT on the staging and management of follicular lymphoma

Br J Radiol. 2014 Oct;87(1042):20140360. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20140360. Epub 2014 Jul 25.

Abstract

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent lymphoma. Despite the evidence-based utilization of fluorine-18 fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG PET)/CT in aggressive lymphomas, the utility of PET in FL remains controversial and varies across different jurisdictions. The management of patients with FL differs from aggressive lymphomas and is usually reserved for patients with localized disease in whom long-term control may potentially be achieved by involved field radiotherapy, or for symptomatic patients with advanced-stage disease in whom systemic therapy is indicated. There is a growing body of literature supporting the use of PET/CT in initial staging of FL to guide management decisions. In this review, we summarize the existing literature and present cases from our experience to illustrate current knowledge on the potential role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in FL.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / therapy
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography* / methods
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / methods

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18