Role of PET/CT in initial evaluation of lymphoma patients.

Abstract

• Lymphomas are heterogeneous group of malignancies that have a distinct biological behavior according to their subtypes and degree of differentiation( Buchpiguel.,2011) • Malignant lymphoma is the most common primary hematopoietic malignancy. The management of lymphoma has been improved by increasing the accuracy of the imaging techniques (Connors., 2011). • Lymphomas can be divided into two main groups: Hodgkin's (HL) and non-Hodgkin (NHL). The most common type is NHL which represents approximately 85% of all lymphomas. According to the biological behavior and consequently the prognosis, they can be grouped as indolent (low grade) and aggressive (intermediate or high grade) tumors (Lu., 2005). • Once the diagnosis HD or NHL has been established by biopsy of a particular site, determination of disease extent (staging) is important for appropriate treatment planning and determining prognosis. In addition, knowing the sites of involvement at time of diagnosis makes it possible to accurately restage at the end of therapy and document a complete remission. Staging of HD and NHL is based on the Ann Arbor classification with the addit