Objective: Primary mediastinal large cell lymphoma is a distinctive subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Computed tomography (CT) has become an integral part of the evaluation of these patients at presentation and after completion of therapy. The purpose of this study is to identify CT features that predict increased risk of relapse.
Methods: A retrospective study of patients with primary mediastinal large cell lymphoma who underwent CT scans of the thorax.
Results: Tumor volume greater than 100 ml after completion of therapy was a statistically significant predictor of increased risk of relapse (p=0.02, Fisher exact test). Other measurements (obtained at presentation and after completion of treatment) were not statistically significant in predicting relapse.
Conclusion: CT plays an important role in predicting outcome in primary mediastinal large cell lymphoma. Large residual tumor volume after completion of treatment predicts an increased risk of relapse.