ABVD alone and a PET scan complete remission negates the need for radiologic surveillance in early-stage, nonbulky Hodgkin lymphoma Journal Article


Authors: Hartridge-Lambert, S. K.; Schoder, H.; Lim, R. C.; Maragulia, J. C.; Portlock, C. S.
Article Title: ABVD alone and a PET scan complete remission negates the need for radiologic surveillance in early-stage, nonbulky Hodgkin lymphoma
Abstract: Background: Patients with early-stage, nonbulky classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) undergo intensive posttreatment radiologic surveillance despite having a low risk of disease recurrence. The current study attempted to evaluate the risk of disease recurrence and the value of radiologic surveillance in patients treated with the combination of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) alone who achieved a complete remission (CR) as noted on posttreatment positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS: Forty-seven patients who underwent therapy with interim and/or posttreatment PET scans were evaluated for disease recurrence during ≥ 24 months of follow-up. Their presenting characteristics and imaging results were assessed and interpreted in relation to clinical outcome. RESULTS: All 47 patients were eligible for analysis. The majority of patients were female (35 patients) with a median age of 28 years (range, 17 years-65 years.). The nodular sclerosing subtype was the predominant histology (41 patients). A total of 34 patients were staged with IIA disease, 6 with IA disease, 6 with IIB disease, and 1 with IIEA disease (lung) (according to Cotswolds modification of the Ann Arbor staging system). All patients completed 6 cycles of planned ABVD therapy and achieved a CR. Two had a positive PET scan (1 interim scan and 1 posttreatment scan); both were biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. Two patients developed disease recurrence at 7 months and 24 months, respectively, after negative interim and posttreatment imaging. One case of recurrence was identified through surveillance imaging and the other was identified simultaneously by the patient and surveillance scan. A total of 45 patients experienced a durable CR; 21 had additional unscheduled imaging/workup during surveillance to investigate symptoms or imaging signs of concern. CONCLUSIONS: Because of a low risk of disease recurrence, posttreatment radiologic surveillance appears to be unnecessary in patients with early-stage, nonbulky (CD20 negative) cHL who achieve a PET-detected CR with the ABVD combination alone. This will reduce cumulative radiation exposure and health care costs in a predominantly young patient population. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Keywords: chemotherapy; hodgkin lymphoma; surveillance; hematological malignancies; doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (abvd)
Journal Title: Cancer
Volume: 119
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0008-543X
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2013-03-15
Start Page: 1203
End Page: 1209
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27873
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 23132361
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 1 April 2013" - "CODEN: CANCA" - "Source: Scopus"
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Carol Portlock
    204 Portlock
  2. Heiko Schoder
    543 Schoder
  3. Remy Chee Hong Lim
    10 Lim
  4. Jocelyn C Migliacci
    104 Migliacci