Abstract
Background: Treating Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) among children comprises a
trade-off between cure and reduction of radiotherapy (RT) toxicity.
Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed
tomography (PET/CT) identifies patients showing early favorable response
to chemotherapy, and therefore can preclude the RT need. Objective: The
current study aims to discuss the prognostic value of interim PET/CT
following two cycles of chemotherapy OEPA (Oncovin, Etoposide,
Prednisone, Adriamycin) in pediatric HL in terms of event-free survival
(EFS) and overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods: We
retrospectively included all HL patients younger than 18 years, between
January 2010 and December 2017. Interim PET/CT was performed after two
chemotherapy cycles. Patients were stratified into three risk groups
into: group 1, group 2 and group 3. OEPA regimen was used in early
disease while Cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, Prednisone and Dacarbazine were
added in advanced disease. RT was avoided in all patients who achieved
complete response (CR) by interim PET/CT. Results: 65 patients were
included. Based on the negative interim PET/CT responses, 43 (66.1%)
patients were treated without RT. The 5-year EFS for the entire cohort
was 89 % and OS was 97%. Most of the PET/CT scans at the end of
treatment were done in positive interim PET/CT cases, while in early
responders; only CT scans were done. Conclusions: Interim PET/CT in
pediatric HL is a good prognostic tool to evaluate early responders
after the 2 initial chemotherapy cycles and hence omit RT to this group
of patients.