Purpose: To evaluate real-world management strategies and outcomes for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients with a partial metabolic response (PMR) on end-of-chemotherapy FDG-PET (EOC-PET) and assess if dynamic changes in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) could refine risk stratification.
Methods and materials: Multi-centre, retrospective cohort study of HL patients treated January 1, 2009 - September 30, 2021. PMR was defined as Deauville score 4 on EOC-PET, with SUVmax lower than staging PET. First-line chemotherapy was predominantly ABVD (62.7%) or ABVD-escalated BEACOPP (28.4%). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Cox proportional-hazards models adjusted for stage and EOC-avid sites quantified outcomes; SUVmax kinetics (interim-to-EOC) were explored within RT cohort.
Results: Among 836 patients with EOC-PET, 67 met PMR criteria; median follow-up was 3.2 years (range 0.1-12.6). Post-EOC-PET management included involved-site radiotherapy (RT, n=38), salvage chemotherapy ± autologous stem-cell transplantation (n=14), or observation with serial PET (n=12). RT recipients had more early-stage disease (55.3% vs 21.4%), fewer EOC-avid sites (median 1 vs 2), and lower EOC SUVmax (median 4.7 vs 10.2) than those receiving systemic therapy. Two-year PFS was 84.2% after RT, 52.7% after salvage chemotherapy, and 74.1% with observation (log-rank p=0.057). On multivariable analysis, salvage chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] 5.82, 95% CI 1.14-29.81, p=0.03) and observation (HR 5.74, 95% CI 1.12-29.39, p=0.03) were associated with higher progression risk versus RT. Within the RT cohort, rising SUVmax between interim and EOC-PET (HR 7.21, 95% CI 1.17-44.35, p=0.033) and higher absolute EOC SUVmax (HR per unit 1.35, 95% CI 1.02-1.79, p=0.036) predicted inferior PFS.
Conclusions: Most HL patients with PMR achieve durable remission with consolidative RT alone, avoiding salvage chemotherapy and transplantation. Dynamic changes in SUVmax -especially a rising SUVmax between interim and EOC PET-identify a high-risk subset potentially warranting treatment intensification. Prospective studies integrating novel agents and PET metrics are needed to personalize therapy for this population.
Purpose: The role of preoperative radiotherapy (RT) in retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) remains controversial across histological subtypes. Conventional fractionated RT (ConvRT) is the current standard, but hypofractionated RT (HypoRT) is gaining interest, particularly for soft tissue sarcomas. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of HypoRT (10 fractions) with ConvRT in RPS patients.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 55 patients with RPS who received preoperative RT followed by surgery at a single tertiary institution between 2017 and 2024. All patients underwent intensity-modulated RT with simultaneous integrated boost techniques. The HypoRT group (n=15) received 50/35 Gy in 10 fractions, and the ConvRT group (n=40) received 62.5/45 Gy in 25 fractions. We assessed surgical complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3) and prolonged postoperative hospitalization (≥14 days).
Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable. HypoRT did not increase grade ≥3 complications (33.3% vs. 25.0%, p=0.735) or hospital stay (median, 16 vs. 13 days; p=0.684). Older age was associated with severe complications (p=0.027), while larger tumors and longer operation time correlated with extended hospitalization (p=0.018 and p=0.024, respectively). With a median follow-up of 33 months, 3-year local recurrence-free survival (71.5% vs. 48.9%, p=0.329), progression-free survival (59.3% vs. 44.4%, p=0.612), and overall survival (84.9% vs. 80.0%, p=0.578) were comparable between groups.
Conclusion: HypoRT in 10 fractions appears feasible, without an apparent increase in perioperative morbidity, and may offer an potential alternative to ConvRT in patients with resectable RPS.

