Abstract:Background:Gallium‐67 (67Ga) scintigraphy has been reported to be of limited value in staging lymphoma patients. However, recent technical advances in radionuclide imaging have potentially enhanced the usefulness of this method.Aims:The purposes of this study were to determine the current: (1) sensitivity and specificity and (2) impact on clinicians' treatment decisions of67Ga scans performed at a teaching hospital.Methods:There were 46 newly presenting patients with lymphoma (13 with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and 33 with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]). Planar67Ga scans were performed up to eight days following injection of 300 MBq (8 mCi) with images interpreted by consensus of two blinded observers; sensitivity and specificity were determined on a lesion by lesion basis in comparison to computed tomography (CT) scans, palpation of peripheral lymph nodes and abdominal lymphangiograms (n = 5). The contribution of67Ga scans to clinicians' treatment decisions was also independently assessed by an experienced oncologist.Results:Gallium‐67 scan sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 96% for HD and 59% and 98% for NHL. Initial treatment plans were modified in three individuals (7%; 95% confidence intervals = 3–10%) due to lesions on the67Ga scan not prospectively detected or considered equivocal on other tests.Conclusions:Only a small proportion of newly diagnosed lymphoma patients benefit from staging with state of the art planar high dose67Ga