Role of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (Pet/Ct) in the Initial Staging and Evaluation of the Therapeutic Response in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background: Lymphoma is a malignant blood cancer that develops in B lymphocytes or T lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that contribute to the body's defences and are part of the immune system. The disease is characterized by the growth and expansion of lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues. Aim and objectives: To investigate the use of PET/CT in the diagnosis and staging of patients with pathologically proven non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as in therapeutic follow-up (both short- and long-term treatment). Patients and methods: A prospective diagnostic research was carried out from January 2023 to June 2024 on non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients who presented to the Al-Horeya Scan Centre in Beni Suef. Cases are processed using a PET/CT scanner manufactured by GE. Results: Critical insights into therapy efficacy were supplied by interim PET/CT scans, which were conducted in 42% of patients, while end-of-treatment PET/CT scans, conducted in 52% of patients, confirmed a high rate of complete metabolic response. Conclusion: PET/CT is not indicated in low grade lymphoma as low-grade lymphoma is less FDG avid than high grade lymphoma. The PET/CT scan is the most reliable tool for determining the stage of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as for monitoring the patient's progress and gauging the effectiveness of treatment.