title: Imaging studies in patients with melanoma.
abstract: The incidence of malignant cutaneous melanoma is rising. Imaging studies represent a major component of the staging work-up and follow-up of melanoma patients and are used to facilitate preoperative planning and intraoperative management. Study benefits are not clear, and evidence does not support any particular protocol for their use. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network's updated guidelines for use of imaging studies in melanoma patients represent a consensus based on lower level evidence, including clinical experience. The utility of individual imaging studies in melanoma patients depends on disease stage. Chest radiography, CT, MRI, lymphoscintigraphy, ultrasonography, PET, and PET/CT have specific roles in patient evaluation. Clinicians must use available evidence to guide decisions regarding which imaging modalities are appropriate for a given indication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Unit 444, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Eugene A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jeffrey E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gershenwald
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed