Original Article

Utility of FDG-PET/CT in primary central nervous system lymphoma and its contribution to prognosis estimation

10.5455/Gulhane.271274

  • Kursat Okuyucu
  • Engin Alagoz

Received Date: 03.07.2017 Accepted Date: 08.09.2017 Gulhane Med J 2017;59(2):44-48

Aims:

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive form of extra-nodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma confined to CNS at initial presentation. The role of FDG-PET/CT in PCNSL is not fully defined and reviewed systematically. This study was conducted to summarize the utility of FDG-PET/CT in the management of PCNSL and show its contribution to predicting survival.

Materials and Methods:

This study included 19 patients with PCNSL treated with high dose methotrexate between 2004 and 2015. We retrospectively examined PET/CT and outcome of the patients. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was calculated.

Results:

Mean overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was 22.7 months, 16.8 months, respectively. Mean SUVmax was 19.9 ± 6.7 in recurrent/ metastatic group, 15.3 ± 7.2 in nonmetastatic (complete remission) group. There was a statistically significant difference between them according to SUVmax values (p=0.199). OS at 1st year was 84%, 58% at 2nd year. DFS at first year was 47%, 31.5% at second year.

Conclusion:

The utility of FDG-PET/CT can be summarized as initial diagnosis, baseline staging and restaging, evaluation of treatment response and prognosis estimation in PCNSL. SUVmax derived from FDG-PET/CT is a strong predictor for progression and survival of the disease.

Keywords: Primary CNS lymphoma, disease-free survival, overall survival, SUVmax, FDG-PET/CT.