Metabolic Insights: the Impact of F-18 FDG PET/CT in Adult Lymphoma

The incidence of lymphoma in Egypt has been increasing in recent years, with a noticeable rise in both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases. This increase is due to better healthcare, awareness, and diagnostic advancements. Risk factors include infections, lifestyle, genetics, and immune system issues.

Lymphoma is now the fourth most prevalent cancer among Egyptian adults, accounting for approximately 8.4% of all new cancer cases annually. As the burden of lymphoma grows, it becomes essential to develop effective strategies for its diagnosis and management.

Flurodeoxyglucose F-18 (F-18 FDG) is a radiolabeled glucose analog that accumulates in metabolically active cells, such as lymphoma cells, making F-18 FDG positron emission tomography / computed tomography scan (PET/CT) highly sensitive for detecting malignant lesions. It plays a key role in staging lymphoma by assessing the extent of disease spread.

Additionally, F-18 FDG PET/CT is essential for assessing treatment response, detecting relapses early, and evaluating the prognosis of patients, offering prognostic value by evaluating residual disease and predicting recurrence. Its ability to monitor disease progression and detect recurrent lymphoma provides critical insights that guide therapeutic decisions and long-term outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Age: Patient must be older than 18 years.
• Confirmed Diagnosis of Lymphoma: Patient must have a confirmed diagnosis of lymphoma based on histopathology and immunophenotyping.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with Known concomitant malignancy.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant women due to the potential risks associated with radiation exposure from the PET/CT scan.
• Severe Renal or Hepatic Impairment: Patients with significant renal or hepatic dysfunction that could affect FDG metabolism or excretion.
• Uncontrolled Diabetes: Patients with uncontrolled diabetes (blood glucose >200 mg/dL), as it can affect FDG uptake and PET/CT results.