FDG-PET in Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma: a practical approach.

Background:Positron emission tomography (PET) with the use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), implemented with low dosage Computer Tomography (CT), is to be considered as the most important evolution of imaging in the management and assessment of classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) patients.Summary:According to Lugano response criteria, FDG-PET is mandatory to define metabolic response to frontline therapy and moreover it is important in the definition of non-responders or refractory disease patients. Refractory disease is reported in about 15% of patients, with some variations based on the choice of first line chemotherapy and particularly in advanced stages up to 40% eventually relapse within 3 years.Key Messagges:The aim of this review is to highlight a practical way to use FDG-PET in the subset of HL, with some notes of its use in first line patients, and particularly centred on relapsed or refractory setting with a final focus of the evaluation of response by FDG-PET in the new treatment era of immunocheckpoint inhibitors (CPI).