Positron emission tomography in lymphoma: comparison with computed tomography and Gallium-67 single photon emission computed tomography

Clin Lymphoma. 2000 Jun;1(1):67-74; discussion 75-6. doi: 10.3816/clm.2000.n.007.

Abstract

With the advent of positron emission tomography (PET), metabolic imaging has become a reality for tumor staging and monitoring response to therapy in lymphoma. Increased Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ([(18)F]FDG) uptake in lymphomas has been well documented in the literature; it is based upon elevated glycolysis and longer residence time of FDG in malignant cells compared to most normal tissues. This suggests that in tumor staging, FDG-PET may be more sensitive and specific than the anatomic imaging modalities. Computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality for the staging and restaging of lymphoma, and Gallium-67 ((67)Ga) scintigraphy has played an important role in monitoring response to therapy and follow-up of patients. Published results suggest that FDG-PET is superior to (67)Ga imaging and may be equal or superior to CT for the detection of nodal as well as extranodal involvement in lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Gallium Radioisotopes*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lymphoma / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18