Preoperative FDG-PET/CT is an important tool in the management of patients with thick (T4) melanoma

Rodrigo Arrangoiz, Pavlos Papavasiliou, Carrie A. Stransky, Jian Q. Yu, Li Tianyu, Elin R. Sigurdson, Adam C. Berger, Jeffrey M. Farma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The yield of preoperative PET/CT (PET/CT) for regional and distant metastases for thin/intermediate thickness melanoma is low. Objective of this study is to determine if PET/CT performed for T4 melanomas helps guide management and alter treatment plans. Methods. Retrospective cohort of 216 patients with T4 melanomas treated at two tertiary institutions. Fifty-six patients met our inclusion criteria (T4 lesion, PET/CT and no clinical evidence of metastatic disease). Results. Fifty-six patients (M: 32, F: 24) with median tumor thickness of 6 mm were identified. PET/CT recognized twelve with regional and four patients with metastatic disease. Melanoma-related treatment plan was altered in 11% of the cases based on PET/CT findings. PET/CT was negative 60% of the time, in 35% of the cases; it identified incidental findings that required further evaluation. Conclusion. Patients with T4 lesions, PET/CT changed the treatment plan 18% of the time. Regional findings changed the surgical treatment plan in 11% and the adjuvant plan in 7% of our cases due to the finding of metastatic disease. Additionally 20 patients had incidental findings that required further workup. In this subset of patients, we feel there is a benefit to PET/CT, and further studies should be performed to validate our findings.

Original languageEnglish
Article number614349
Pages (from-to)614349
JournalDermatology Research and Practice
Volume2012
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

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