NON-HODGKIN-LYMPHOMA - CONTRIBUTION OF CHEST CT IN THE INITIAL STAGING EVALUATION

PURPOSE: To analyze incremental information derived from routinely obt ained chest computed tomographic (CT) scans compared with chest radiog raphs in newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the effect of this i nformation on staging and therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abnormalitie s on chest radiographs and CT scans obtained at specific sites were pr ospectively identified in 181 consecutive patients with no previous tr eatment When discrepant information was found, the effect on staging a nd treatment was determined. RESULTS: CT and chest radiographic findin gs were negative in 99 (55%) patients. CT findings were positive and c hest radiograph findings were negative in 17 (9%). Both chest radiogra ph and CT findings were positive in 65 (36%) patients, 16 with identic al sites of disease and 49 with more extensive intrathoracic disease a t CT. Most stage changes occurred in the diffuse large cell histologic subtype. CONCLUSION: Although routine chest CT findings increased sta ge of disease in some patients, it had no effect on initial treatment of newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma at this institution.