title: Diagnosis of Melanoma.
abstract: Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of the skin, originating from the melanocyte. Accounting for less than 5% of all skin cancers, melanoma is associated with approximately 75% of skin cancer-related mortality. Early detection of melanoma with surgical resection remains one of the critical factors determining favorable clinical outcomes for melanoma. This article discusses the epidemiology and diagnosis of melanoma, with specific attention to the role of the PET scan in the evaluation of early melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, 4th Floor, Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Giorgos C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Karakousis
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Czerniecki