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Calcification in lymphoma occurring before therapy: CT features and clinical correlation
Sara Apter1, Abraham Avigdor, Gabriela Gayer
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|March 22, 2002
Summary
Pre-therapy calcification in lymphoma is rare, occurring in less than 1% of patients. This finding was most common in aggressive non-Hodgkin
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Calcification in lymphoma is typically observed after therapy.
- Pre-therapy calcification in lymphoma is an uncommon finding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence, computed tomography (CT) features, and clinical significance of pre-therapy calcification in lymphoma patients.
- To assess the association of calcification with lymphoma subtype and disease aggressiveness.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of CT scans (chest, abdomen, pelvis) in 956 newly diagnosed lymphoma patients.
- Correlation of calcification findings with histologic type, tissue parameters, and clinical course.
- Follow-up CT scans to evaluate calcification progression.
Main Results:
- Calcification was identified in 0.84% (8/956) of patients before therapy.
- Calcifications were more frequent in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (7/8) than Hodgkin's lymphoma (1/8).
- All patients with pre-therapy calcification had aggressive lymphoma, often located in the mediastinum.
Conclusions:
- Pre-therapy calcification in lymphoma is rare and associated with aggressive disease, particularly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Mediastinal lymph node and mass calcification were common sites.
- The presence of calcification may indicate a poorer prognosis or treatment response.