The value of gallium 67 (Ga) imaging in monitoring lymphoma response to treatment was assessed in 25 patients with Ga-avid tumors and compared to body computed tomography (CT), chest radiographs, and palpation of tumor infiltrated peripheral lymph nodes. Ga imaging was negative in 95% (20/21) of the patients who were clinically considered to be in remission and in whom treatment was stopped. The disease did not recur during a follow-up of 12 to 26 months in 15 patients. Six patients developed recurrence of the disease 3 to 12 months after treatment was stopped. In all six patients Ga imaging became positive again at the time of the appearance of active disease. In the group of patients in remission, CT was negative in 57% (11/19), chest x-rays in 55% (6/11) and peripheral lymph nodes were palpated in none of the patients (13/13). In four patients that did not achieve remission after treatment, Ga scans were positive. Ga imaging appears useful in monitoring lymphoma response to treatment. This is probably because Ga imaging monitors tumor cell viability, whereas body CT and chest radiographs show the tumor mass, which may consist of fibrotic or necrotic tissue.
Objective: This retrospective study describes our experience with the diagnosis, treatment, results and long-term follow-up of primary bone lymphoma (PBL). Patients and Methods: Nineteen patients diagnosed with PBL were reviewed. Seven patients presented with stage IE disease, four with stage IIE (regional lymphadenopathy), and eight with stage IV disease (disseminated bone involvement). Only one stage IV patient exhibited ‘B’ symptoms. The majority (72%) demonstrated diffuse, large cell, B-type lymphoma. All patients were treated with adriamycin-based chemotherapy and consolidation radiotherapy to the primary site (8 patients: early PBL) or the most bulky area (3 patients: stage IV PBL). Results: Ten stage IE/IIE patients are alive with no evidence of disease (NED) and only one died due to metastatic secondary lung cancer while with NED from his PBL. Eight stage IV patients are alive with NED. Median follow-up for all living patients: 77 months. Side effects were mild and did not necessitate delay in treatment. Conclusions: Our departmental policy of treating PBL patients with an anthracycline-based regimen and involved field radiotherapy proved to be successful in achieving excellent long-term, disease-free survival. Phase III randomized, controlled, clinical trials will determine the true role of consolidation radiotherapy in PBL, when considering severe late side effects, including radiation-induced bone tumors.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.