Onkológia 2/2009

The Intention of 18FDG-PET in Childhood and Adolescent Malignant Lymphoma

Overall survival rate in malignat lymphomas (ML) in children and adolescents have markedly improved during last years. Exact staging has critical importance in the stratification into risk groups and treatment decision necessary to achieve optimal response and cure. 18FDG-PET is non invasive whole body imaging method, that is more sensitive and specific than conventional imaging methods due to its functional-metabolic principle. The application in patients with ML continues to expand and is gradually gaining acceptance. Its relevance for staging has been confirmed in Hodgkin lymphoma, residual mass differentiation and in suspicion of relaps. Prospective multi-centre international clinical trials are needed to evaluate the role of early response assessing in ML.

Keywords: 18FDG-PET, malignant lymphoma, childhood, staging, treatment response evaluation