Detection of melanoma relapse: first comparative analysis on imaging techniques versus S100 protein.
BACKGROUND
Early detection of melanoma recurrence is essential for the patient's prognosis. The serum S100 level may be a useful tool to detect relapse early.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of imaging techniques and serum S100 in the early detection of melanoma progression. This is the first report of a comparison of a serum marker with an imaging tool in the follow-up of melanoma patients.


METHODS
From 1992 to 2003, we screened 192 patients suffering from melanoma recurrence after a disease-free interval. Of those, 127 patients were identified whose S100 levels had been assessed parallel to imaging procedures.


RESULTS
Serum S100 was elevated in 37% of patients at the time of relapse. In stage III, 32% of the patients had elevated S100 levels whereas in case of progression to stage IV, 48% of the patients presented with increased S100. In 5.5% of patients, S100 was the first indicator of disease progression. Imaging procedures lead to detection of melanoma recurrence in 26.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
A rising level of serum S100 is a specific and sensitive marker of melanoma progression.
Beyeler
Mirjam
M
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Waldispuhl
Severa
S
Strobel
Klaus
K
Joller-Jemelka
Helen I
HI
Burg
Gunter
G
Dummer
Reinhard
R
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009418:S100 Proteins