Criteria-Based Imaging and Response Evaluation of Lymphoma 20 Years After Cheson: What is New?

The rapid progress in oncology research requires numerous new scientific publications. This article aims to provide an overview of criteria-based imaging and response evaluation of lymphoma according to the current status of knowledge. In fact, common criteria for evaluating data, especially imaging response evaluation, are essential for comparability of studies. While criteria-based classifications of solid tumors have been established for some time, there are now increasing classifications of lymphoma diseases. The purpose of this review is to describe the development of criteria-based evaluation of lymphoma diseases with a special focus on imaging up to current guidelines.

Literature review based on PubMed including the languages English and German was performed. This review article includes the most important criteria-based response evaluations of lymphoma published between January 1999 and July 2019.

The two latest classifications of response evaluation of lymphoma are: The Lugano classification, which has been steadily developed over the past 20 years and has been specially adapted to technical progress, as well as the evaluation method RECIL (Response Evaluation Criteria In Lymphoma), which is based on the RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) classification already established for solid tumors. Significant imaging components of both classifications are the anatomical measurement and measurement of the metabolic response of the manifestation of lymphoma using positron emission tomography (PET/CT).

· Standardized criteria-based response evaluations are essential for the objective and comparable analysis of new drugs for the treatment of lymphoma diseases.. · The latest classification RECIL has significantly simplified treatment evaluation and has established a better comparability to the therapeutic evaluation of solid tumors according to RECIST.. · Further studies will show the most appropriate classifications depending on study settings..

· Skusa C, Weber M, Böttcher S et al. Criteria-Based Imaging and Response Evaluation of Lymphoma 20 Years After Cheson: What is New?. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 657 - 667.