Lymphoma in children and adolescents

Clinical/methodological issue Lymphoma is the third most common neoplasm in children. Detection, accurate staging, and restaging are important for all radiologists involved in the diagnosis of children. Standard radiological methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), CT, ultrasound, X-ray. Methodological innovations Whole-body imaging (MRI and PET-MRI or PET-CT) play a key role in diagnostics and for therapy selection in Hodgkin lymphoma. Performance In particular, hybrid imaging using F-18-FDG PET is proving to be a powerful method for staging and restaging. Achievements Standardization of imaging and inclusion in therapy studies (e.g. within the framework of the EuroNet-PHL-C2 study) improves diagnostics and simultaneously reduces therapy-related side effects. Practical recommendations In Hodgkin lymphoma, deviations from the prescribed diagnostic procedure should be avoided. In clinically very heterogeneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), on the other hand, the diagnostic procedure should be adapted to the actual clinical condition of the child. The role of interim PET in NHL is currently still the subject of clinical discussion.

Automated summary

This article discusses the clinical and methodological issues in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric lymphoma, emphasizing the key role of whole-body imaging in Hodgkin lymphoma and the importance of using hybrid imaging with F-18-FDG PET for staging and restaging of lymphoma. Standardization of imaging and including in therapy studies have improved diagnostics and reduced therapy-related side effects. The importance of adhering to prescribed diagnostic procedures in Hodgkin lymphoma and adapting diagnostic procedures to the actual clinical condition of the child in clinically heterogeneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma are also highlighted.