Technetium-99m-tetrofosmin scintigraphy in the prediction of chemotherapy response of untreated malignant lymphomas and comparison with other prognostic factors

The aim of this study was to retrospectively predict the chemotherapy respo nse of untreated malignant lymphomas using technetium-99m tetrofosmin (Tc-T F) scintigraphy and to compare the technique with other prognotic factors. In this study, before any chemotherapy, 25 patients with malignant lymphoma s (ML) underwent Tc-TF scintigraphy. scintigraphy was performed 10 minutes after intravenous injection of 20 mCi Tc-TF to calculate the tumor-to-norma l (T/N) uptake ratio. In this study, before any chemotherapy, 25 patients w ith malignant lymphomas (ML) underwent Tc-TF scintigraphy. Scintigraphy was performed 10 minutes after intravenous injection of 20 mCi Tc-TF to calcul ate the tumor-to-normal (T/N) uptake ratio. In the first 1-2 years after co mplete chemotherapy, the response was evaluated by clinical and radiologica l methods. Compared with the 10 ML patients with poor chemotherapy response the 15 ML patients with good response had positive scintigraphic results w hilst the 10 patients with poor response had negative scintigraphic results . When compared with other prognostic factors, Tc-TF scintigraphy was the t ool to predict the chemotherapy response of ML patients.