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. 2011 Apr;22(4):910-915.
doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdq549. Epub 2010 Oct 15.

End-of-treatment but not interim PET scan predicts outcome in nonbulky limited-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma

J A Barnes  1 , A S LaCasce  2 , K Zukotynski  3 , D Israel  3 , Y Feng  4 , D Neuberg  5 , C E Toomey  6 , E P Hochberg  1 , G P Canellos  2 , J S Abramson  7
Affiliations
Free article

End-of-treatment but not interim PET scan predicts outcome in nonbulky limited-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma

J A Barnes et al. Ann Oncol. 2011 Apr.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Early interim positron emission tomography (PET) scans appear powerfully predictive of outcome in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), particularly in advanced-stage disease where it has been predominantly studied. The prognostic value of interim PET in limited-stage patients with nonbulky disease has not been well established.

Patients and methods: Ninety-six patients with nonbulky limited-stage HL were identified who had interim and end-of-treatment PET scans. Response rate, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated.

Results: Four-year PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 88% and 97%, respectively. Interim PET did not predict outcome, with PFS in positive and negative patients 87% versus 91% (P=0.57), respectively. End-of-treatment PET result was predictive of outcome, with PFS of 94% in end PET-negative patients versus 54% in end PET-positive patients (P<0.0001). Four-year OS was 100% in end PET-negative patients and 84% in end PET-positive patients (P<0.0001).

Conclusions: Interim PET scans were not predictive of outcome, compared with scans carried out at completion of therapy. End-of-treatment PET was highly predictive of PFS and OS, regardless of interim PET result. In this low-risk patient population, even patients with interim positive PET scans show a favorable prognosis.

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