Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 52 (2004) 19–32 FDG-PET in the clinical management of Hodgkin lymphoma Martin Hutchings a,∗ , Annika I. Eigtved a , Lena Specht b a PET and Cyclotron Unit, Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Centre of Diagnostic Investigations, Rigshospitalet KF-3982, Copenhagen University Hospital, 9, Blegdamsvej, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark b Department of Oncology, The Finsen Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark Accepted 28 May 2004 Contents Abstract .......................................................................................... 19 1. Introduction .................................................................................. 19 2. Methods ...................................................................................... 20 3. Early basic investigations of PET in lymphoma ................................................... 20 4. The role of PET in primary staging .............................................................. 20 4.1. Studies on mixed lymphoma populations ................................................... 21 4.2. Studies on HL populations ............................................................... 21 5. The role of PET in monitoring treatment response ................................................ 24 5.1. Early response assessment ................................................................ 24 5.2. Assessment of response after first-line treatment—evaluation of a residual mass ............... 25 6. The potential role of PET in the planning of radiotherapy .......................................... 27 7. PET in follow-up and diagnosis of a suspected relapse ............................................ 28 8. Conclusion ................................................................................... 28 Reviewers ........................................................................................ 29 References ........................................................................................ 29 Biographies ....................................................................................... 32 Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET) is a molecular functional imaging technique that provides qualitative and quantitative information about the localization and activity of pathophysiological processes. The most commonly used tracer for oncological purposes is 2-[18F]fluoro- 2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG). FDG-PET has within recent years become the most important nuclear medicine imaging modality in the manage- ment of lymphoma. This review summarizes the data published so far concerning the value of FDG-PET in staging, treatment monitoring, therapy planning, and follow-up of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). FDG-PET detects more disease sites and involved organs than conventional staging procedures including computerized tomography (CT) and has a large influence on staging. FDG-PET during and after therapy appears to provide considerable prognostic information. However, the impact on patient outcome is not clear since no controlled trials are conducted and follow-up periods are generally short. The value of dual-modality PET/CT and its potential role in the radiotherapy planning is discussed. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Hodgkin; Lymphoma; Positron emission tomography; 18F; Fluorodeoxyglucose ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +45-35-45-85-12; fax: +45-35-45-38-98. E-mail address: hutch@rh.dk (M. Hutchings). 1. Introduction Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a relatively uncommon ma- lignancy accounting for approximately 0.5% of all malig- 1040-8428/$ – see front matter © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2004.05.007