[18F]FDG-PET/CT volumetric parameters can predict outcome in untreated mantle cell lymphoma

Several studies have shown a strong predictive value for pretreatment [F-18]FDG-PET/CT metabolic parameters in different lymphoma subtypes. However, few publications exist concerning the role of metabolic parameters in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). We retrospectively investigated the prognostic value of baseline metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and lesion dissemination in untreated MCL. We compared it to currently used prognostic factors such as stage, mantle cell lymphoma international prognostic index (MIPI) and KI-67. We report that a higher baseline MTV is a risk factor for worse overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, MTV was significantly associated with DSS, but not with OS and PFS. We found no correlation between lesion dissemination and outcome. The MIPI score remains the strongest predictor of outcome. These results show that MTV is an important prognostic tool and can improve patient risk stratification at staging of untreated MCL.

Automated summary

Multiple studies have demonstrated the predictive value of pretreatment [F-18]FDG-PET/CT metabolic parameters in various lymphoma subtypes. However, there is limited research on the role of metabolic parameters in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). In this retrospective study, we investigated the prognostic value of baseline metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and lesion dissemination in untreated MCL. We found that higher baseline MTV was associated with worse overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-specific survival in univariate analysis. Furthermore, MTV was significantly associated with disease-specific survival in multivariate analysis. However, there was no correlation between lesion dissemination and outcome. Overall, these findings suggest that MTV is an important prognostic tool and can improve risk stratification for untreated MCL at staging.