T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: Spectrum of Disease and the Role of Imaging in the Management of Common Subtypes

T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are biologically diverse, uncommon malignancies characterized by a spectrum of imaging findings according to subtype. The purpose of this review is to describe the common subtypes of T-cell NHL, highlight important differences between cutaneous, various peripheral and precursor subtypes, and summarize imaging features and the role of imaging in the management of this diverse set of diseases

Metastatic pattern of uterine leiomyosarcoma: retrospective analysis of the predictors and outcome in 113 patients

Objective: To describe metastatic pattern of uterine leiomyosarcomas (ULMS) and correlate it with clinical and histopathologic parameters. Methods: We included 113 women (mean age, 53 years; range, 29 to 72 years) with histopathology-confirmed ULMS from 2000 to 2012. Distribution of metastases was noted from imaging by two radiologists in consensus. Predictors of development of metastases were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis. Impact of various clinical and histopathologic parameters on survival was compared using Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results: Distant metastases were seen in 81.4% (92/113) of the patients after median interval of 7 months (interquartile range, 1 to 21). Lung was most common site of metastases (74%) followed by peritoneum (41%), bones (33%), and liver (27%). Local tumor recurrence was noted in 57 patients (50%), 51 of whom had distant metastases. Statistically significant correlation was noted between local recurrence and peritoneal metastases (p<0.001) and between lung and other common sites of hematogeneous metastases (p<0.05). Age, serosal involvement, local recurrence, and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage were predictive factors for metastases. At the time of reporting, 65% (74/113) of the patients have died; median survival was 45 months. Stage, local recurrence, and age were poor prognostic factors. Conclusion: ULMS metastasizes most frequently to lung, peritoneum, bone, and liver. Local recurrence was associated with peritoneal spread and lung metastases with other sites of hematogeneous metastases. Age, FIGO stage and local recurrence predicted metastatic disease and advanced stage, older age and local recurrence predicted poor outcome

Beyond PET/CT in Hodgkin lymphoma: a comprehensive review of the role of imaging at initial presentation, during follow-up and for assessment of treatment-related complications

Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the role of imaging modalities other than PET/CT in the management of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). PET/CT is the imaging modality of choice in the management of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL). However, imaging modalities other than PET/CT such as plain radiographs, ultrasound, CT, MRI and nuclear imaging can help in various stages of clinical management of HL, including the initial workup and post-treatment surveillance. Both CT and MRI help in detecting recurrences, treatment-related pulmonary, cardiovascular and abdominal complications as well as second malignancies. Familiarity with expected post-treatment changes and complications on surveillance images can help radiologists guide patient management. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the role of imaging modalities other than PET/CT in the management of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Main Messages • Surveillance of HL patients is usually performed with plain radiographs and CT. • Follow-up imaging can depict normal post-treatment changes or treatment-related complications. • Imaging is important for the timely detection of second malignancies in HL patients

Clinical and radiologic features of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma including initial presentation, local recurrence, and metastases

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and imaging features of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) including initial presentation, recurrence, and metastases. Patients and methods. In this institutional review board-approved retrospective study, imaging features of 13 patients with pathologically proven EMC seen from August 1995 to December 2011 were analyzed. The group included 3 women and 10 men and the mean age was 54 years (range 29–73 years). Imaging studies were evaluated by two radiologists in consensus. Location, size, and imaging features of primary tumors were recorded as well as the presence of recurrent disease and location of metastases. Results: Among 13 patients, 3 died during the timeframe of this study. Nine patients had primary tumor in the lower extremity, and average tumor size was 9.3 cm (range 3.3–18 cm). On MRI, primary tumors were hyperintense on T2, isointense to muscle on T1, and demonstrated peripheral/septal enhancement. Three patients had local recurrence and 12 had metastatic disease, with lung involvement being the most common. Tumor density on contrast enhanced CT ranged from 8.2 to 82.9 Hounsfield unit (HU). FDG-PET/CT imaging was performed in 3 patients. One patient had no FDG avid disease and 2 patients had metastatic disease with standard uptake values (SUV) of 2.8 and 7.4. The patient with intense FDG uptake demonstrated more solid appearing tumor burden and had the shortest survival. Conclusions: EMC is a rare tumor that often occurs in the lower extremities and frequently metastasizes to the lungs. Increased tumor density and increased FDG uptake may be related to more aggressive disease

Intrathoracic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: imaging features and implications for management

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of primary intrathoracic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). Patients and methods. In this institutional review board (IRB)-approved retrospective study, clinical and imaging features of 15 patients (eight men; mean age 50 years [range 18–83)] with pathologically proven malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors seen from January 1999 to December 2011 were analyzed. Imaging features (CT in 15, MRI in 5 and PET/CT in 4) of primary tumors were evaluated by three radiologists and correlated with clinical management. Results: Of the 15 tumors, six were located in the mediastinum (two each in anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum), four in chest wall, two were paraspinal, and three in the lung. Four patients had neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1); four tumors had heterologous rhabdomyoblastic differentiation (malignant triton tumor). Masses typically were elongated along the direction of nerves, with mean size of 11 cm. The masses were hypo- or isodense to muscles on CT, isointense on T1-weighted images, hyperintense on T2-weighted images and intensely fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid (mean standardized uptake value [SUV]max of 10.5 [range 4.4–23.6]). Necrosis and calcification was seen in four tumors each. Finding of invasion of adjacent structures on imaging led to change in management in seven patients; patients with invasion received chemoradiation. Conclusions: Intrathoracic MPNSTs appear as large elongated masses involving mediastinum, lung or chest wall. Radiological identification of invasion of adjacent structures is crucial and alters therapy, with patients with invasion receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemoradiation

Radiogenomics of clear cell renal cell carcinoma: preliminary findings of The Cancer Genome Atlas–Renal Cell Carcinoma (TCGA–RCC) Imaging Research Group

Purpose: To investigate associations between imaging features and mutational status of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Materials and methods: This multi-institutional, multi-reader study included 103 patients (77 men; median age 59 years, range 34–79) with ccRCC examined with CT in 81 patients, MRI in 19, and both CT and MRI in three; images were downloaded from The Cancer Imaging Archive, an NCI-funded project for genome-mapping and analyses. Imaging features [size (mm), margin (well-defined or ill-defined), composition (solid or cystic), necrosis (for solid tumors: 0%, 1%–33%, 34%–66% or >66%), growth pattern (endophytic, <50% exophytic, or ≥50% exophytic), and calcification (present, absent, or indeterminate)] were reviewed independently by three readers blinded to mutational data. The association of imaging features with mutational status (VHL, BAP1, PBRM1, SETD2, KDM5C, and MUC4) was assessed. Results: Median tumor size was 49 mm (range 14–162 mm), 73 (71%) tumors had well-defined margins, 98 (95%) tumors were solid, 95 (92%) showed presence of necrosis, 46 (45%) had ≥50% exophytic component, and 18 (19.8%) had calcification. VHL (n = 52) and PBRM1 (n = 24) were the most common mutations. BAP1 mutation was associated with ill-defined margin and presence of calcification (p = 0.02 and 0.002, respectively, Pearson’s χ2 test); MUC4 mutation was associated with an exophytic growth pattern (p = 0.002, Mann–Whitney U test). Conclusions: BAP1 mutation was associated with ill-defined tumor margins and presence of calcification; MUC4 mutation was associated with exophytic growth. Given the known prognostic implications of BAP1 and MUC4 mutations, these results support using radiogenomics to aid in prognostication and management

Multiple inflammatory nodules: a differential diagnosis of new pulmonary nodules in oncology patients

New pulmonary nodules in an oncology patient are often considered metastatic unless proven otherwise. However, the possibility of an inflammatory cause needs to be considered in this setting. Clinicopathologic correlation is always needed in such cases to establish a diagnosis, especially before initiating a new treatment. The multiplicity of inflammatory nodules in this case, in the form of multiple pulmonary nodules and a spinal soft tissue mass, can be a considerable diagnostic challenge. The potential ramifications of not being familiar with inflammatory pseudotumors and not knowing when to suggest it involve unnecessary and incorrect patient treatment including chemotherapy, and may have medicolegal implications for the radiologist. Therefore all radiologists, especially those involved in oncologic imaging, need to be aware of this entity

Atypical Response Patterns in Patients Treated With Nivolumab

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to assess the frequency of atypical response patterns in oncology patients treated with the programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor nivolumab. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This retrospective study included 254 patients treated with nivolumab alone or in combination, from January 2013 through August 2017 A blinded reader prospectively assessed treatment response. Among 166 patients (65%) who experienced a clinical benefit (defined as stable disease, partial response, or complete response as the best response), four response patterns were identified: pattern 1 is a decrease or less than 20% increase in the sum of the longest dimension (SLD) without a return to below the nadir, pattern 2 is a 10-19% increase in SLD with a return to below the nadir, pattern 3 is a 20% or greater increase in SLD with a return to below the nadir (classic pseudoprogression), and pattern 4 is the development of new lesions with a decrease in SI A) lasting through at least two consecutive scans. Patterns 2, 3, and 4 were defined as atypical response patterns. RESULTS. Of 166 patients who experienced a clinical benefit, pattern 1 was seen in 133 (80%), pattern 2 was seen in 15 (9%), pattern 3 was seen in two (1%), and pattern 4 was seen in 16 (10%) patients. Thus, atypical response patterns were seen in 33 (20%) patients who experienced a clinical benefit, including 25 of 91 (27%) taking nivolumab and ipilimumab combined, six of 46 (13%) taking nivolumab alone, and two of 29 (7%) taking a combination of nivolumab and another chemotherapeutic agent (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION. Although classic pseudoprogression was rare, an atypical response was seen in 20% of patients who experienced a clinical benefit, and a delayed response up to 24 months of therapy may be seen. Radiologists should be aware of these atypical patterns to avoid errors in response assessment