title: Laparoscopy in the abdominal staging of melanoma.
abstract: A retrospective study on laparoscopic results in the abdominal staging of 297 patients with melanoma, is reported. In 195 (99.3%) of patients, laparoscopy was technically feasible, and in 10% the clinical stage was changed on the basis of the findings. In 34% of patients with metastasis of the liver and peritoneum, the tumor had a diameter of under 1 cm and therefore was not detectable with non-invasive techniques. In the light of these results laparoscopy is advisable in patients with Stage I melanoma at a high risk of metastatization (Clark IV-V; Breslow greater than 0.76 mm) and in Stage II patients. In Stage III patients, laparoscopy seems indicated for an evaluation of the efficacy of systemic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Divisione Medica 3a, ULSS n. 21, Ospedale Civile di Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Caldironi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nitti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schiavon
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Aldinio
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Azzena
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary