Imaging modalities
The role of imaging in most cancers is confirming the diagnosis of cancer or an invasive condition, and more importantly the staging of the disease. Staging means the degree of spread of a certain cancer and it is essential for planning treatment and determine the outcome. In Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the most important findings by imaging include the number of lymph nodes affected, their side in relation to the diaphragm and involvement of the spleen or liver.
Imaging studies commonly used in Hodgkin’s include CT scan and PET scan. CT scan is better for the detection of liver or splenic involvement, while PET scan is better for detecting the overall condition of areas affected by lymphoma since it depends on the activity of such cells. It can also be used to detect response to treatment.