Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological neoplasm characterized by a clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. MM is associated with high morbidity and mortality and variable survival, which can be very short for some patients but over 10 years for others. These differences in survival are explained by intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity and demonstrate the potential benefits of adapting the treatment course for high-risk patients with a poorer prognosis. Indeed, identification of these high-risk patients is necessary and is based on the identification of high-risk biomarkers including clinical variables, genomics and imaging results. Positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography using 18F-deoxyfluoroglucose (FDG-PET/CT) is a reliable technique for the initial staging of patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM), and has been included in the IMWG (International Myeloma Working Group) recommendations in 2019. According to clinical studies, FDG-PET/CT characteristics could be used to define high-risk patients at initial diagnosis of symptomatic MM. The goal of this review is to demonstrate the prognostic value of FDG-PET in symptomatic MM patients, particularly in identifying high-risk patients, and thus, to best adapt therapeutic management in the future.
Keywords: FDG-PET/CT; high-risk patients; multiple myeloma; prognostic value; smouldering multiple myeloma.