[Role of FDG-PET/CT in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

FDG-PET/CT has been widely used not only at the time of diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but also during and after treatment. With the help of large amount of data on Hodgkin's lymphoma, for which FDG-PET is extraordinarily useful, evidence is also rapidly accumulating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Currently, there is a consensus that FDG-PET/CT is effective in stratifying the prognosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a PET-avid disease, especially diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, in the enormous evidence accumulated till date, the variability in the clinical conditions of the patients, timing, and the FDG-PET/CT assessment method makes it difficult to overlook and understand the complete picture. In this article, we will review the position of FDG-PET/CT in the response assessment of DLBCL, evolution of evaluation methods, and evidence for determining therapeutic efficacy using FDG-PET/CT and for modifying treatment based on the FDG-PET/CT results.