title: The role of positron emission tomography with computed tomography in the follow-up of asymptomatic cutaneous malignant melanoma patients with a high risk of disease recurrence.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of [F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) as a surveillance tool in asymptomatic patients with primary cutaneous melanoma with the American Joint Committee on Cancer stage 3 disease. Thirty-four patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanoma with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage 3 disease, who underwent at least one annual surveillance PET/CT scan, were retrospectively identified from our PET Centre Database in May 2008 and their characteristics, PET/CT results and disease course were reviewed. In 20 patients with microscopic stage 3 disease at diagnosis, annual surveillance PET/CT detected two of three recurrences and detected one incidental breast carcinoma. In 14 patients with macroscopic stage 3 disease at, or subsequent to, their initial diagnosis, annual PET/CT detected four of four recurrences, detected metastases in one patient who remains asymptomatic and detected one incidental thyroid carcinoma. PET/CT seems to be a useful surveillance tool in patients with macroscopic stage 3 disease, although the numbers in this study are small. However, the role of PET/CT in patients initially presenting with microscopic stage 3 disease requires further confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. rachel.abbott@nhs.net
authors.forename: Rachel Angharad
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: Katharine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Acland
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harries
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Doherty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18