Dr. Feldman on the Shortcomings of PET Scan in Hodgkin Lymphoma

Tatyana Feldman, MD, hematologist and medical oncologist, John Theurer Cancer Center, discusses the shortcomings of PET scan in Hodgkin lymphoma.

About 80% of patients who have negative PET scan results after 2 cycles of doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, and bleomycin (ABVD; PET2) are considered cured regardless of whether there is residual disease, says Feldman. However, a PET scan cannot identify the PET2-negative patients who will relapse, adds Feldman.

Additionally, combination approaches need to be fleshed out to determine which individuals are best suited for which regimen. For example, certain patients with positive scans may not require further treatment, says Feldman. However, certain patients with positive scans may need additional treatment, and there is no way to tell which category a patient will fall into with a PET scan. Novel agents may place a role for patients who need additional therapy. Further research may shed light on ways to avoid overtreatment as well as optimal treatment strategies for patients with residual disease.